Harbour Energy (LON:HBR) and its partner Zarubezhneft have successfully completed their first appraisal well in the Tuna Block in the Natuna Sea offshore Indonesia despite reports that Chinese vessels had been meddling in the area.
The Singa Laut-2 well was finished in early September and Harbour is now drilling the second appraisal well, Kuda Laut-2, in the Tuna Block. Indonesian upstream regulator SKK Migas said the second well, being drilled by the Noble Drilling deep-water Noble Clyde Boudreaux, is due to be finished in early November. Harbour Energy said in its half-year results last week that the well would be completed during the fourth quarter.
No results have been officially released for the Singa Laut-2 probe yet.
Earlier this month, Indonesia sent a naval ship to tail a Chinese survey vessel that has been operating close to Harbour Energy’s Tuna Block in the Natuna Sea within Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Indonesian navy and the Maritime Security Agency, also known as Bakamla, reported there has been a regular presence of Chinese coastguard ships around the Tuna Block, where Harbour Energy is carrying out appraisal drilling.
In May, Zarubezhneft acquired a 50% share in the Tuna block that is being appraised, and is operated by Premier Oil, now a Harbour Company. As part of its farm-in deal, the Russian company will carry Premier Oil for its share of the two-well campaign
Elsewhere in Indonesia, Harbour Energy said that preparations are underway for the drilling of the Timpan-1 exploration well on the group’s operated Andaman II licence (Harbour 40%) in the first half of 2022.
Meanwhile, its Natuna Sea Block A fields in Indonesia averaged 10,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) production net to Harbour during the second quarter. Singapore demand for Harbour’s Indonesian gas was strong with offtake under the group’s two gas sales agreements above take or pay levels, said the company. A jack-up rig campaign comprising a workover and an infill well to help increase delivery from the field is underway and is expected to complete during the fourth quarter, added Harbour.