Wildcats being drilled offshore Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia,South Korean operator SK earthon has embarked on a two-well exploration programme on shallow-water Block SK 427 offshore Sarawak, East Malaysia.PV Drilling’s jack-up PV Drilling VI has been contracted for the campaign, which comprises the Sumpitan-1 and Tawak-1 wildcats.The drilling, which is being supported by four Malaysia-flagged vessels — Perdana Traveller, Perdana Adventurer, Ruhm Pertama and Setia Deras — is scheduled for completion on 10 May.SK earthon’s sole original co-venturer in the nearshore Block SK 427 production sharing contract (PSC) within the Balingian and Tatau hydrocarbon provinces was Petroleum Sarawak Exploration & Production (PSEP).The block lies in a proven hydrocarbon system with promising potential, Malaysia’s national energy giant Petronas earlier noted. Prospects and leads previously identified include Lu-1 and Lu-2, Oya-D and C14.
While SK earthon is drilling offshore Sarawak, national upstream company Petronas Carigali is engaged in its own search for more domestic oil and gas.Petronas Carigali is currently drilling the Meransi-1 exploration well on Block PM 515 offshore Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast with Velesto Energy’s jack-up Naga-4. This probe is expected to complete at the end of the month, according to Malaysia’s Marine Department (Jabatan Laut).
“Block PM 515 holds great potential for significant discoveries,” a senior official with Malaysia Petroleum Management said at the time.The 5119 square kilometre Block PM 515 hosts three fields — Jelawai, Rajah Shallow and Enggor.This tract, which is surrounding by numerous producing assets, at the time of award already had 4284 square kilometres of 3D seismic acquired in addition to 2D seismic surveying.