Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) is promoting eight blocks for exploration opportunities in FY10/11.

The eight focus blocks consist of two blocks in Peninsular Malaysia, three shallow water blocks and three deepwater blocks in Sarawak.

The two shallow water blocks in Peninsular Malaysia are located in the eastern flank of the Malay Basin province, spread across 6,455 sq km and 5,683 sq km respectively. About 12,000 line km of 2D and 3D seismic survey has been obtained and a total of 22 wells have been drilled in these blocks. Prospectivity of these blocks indicates deeper play types of Lower Oligocene to Early Miocene Group K, L, M and basements which consist of stratigraphic and structural traps. Ledang Barat Deep-1 and Aji-Aji-1 discoveries have opened up the potential of the deeper section and basement play of the Malay Basin eastern flank.

Sarawak shallow water blocks are geologically situated in the North Baram Delta Province, Central Luconia Province and West Luconia province where numerous wells have been drilled in the region with significant oil and gas discoveries proving a petroleum system containing both oil and gas is present. All three blocks are fully mapped with 2D seismic coverage. For the block in Central Luconia, there is proven gas play for mid to Late Miocene Carbonate.

PETRONAS is also promoting deepwater blocks with the presence of an established petroleum system i.e. oil and gas prone areas. One of these deepwater blocks is situated in the West Luconia Province - a large deltaic depocentre. This block spans 2,136 sq km and there are about 4,413 line km of 2D seismic data available within the region. The other two deepwater blocks are located offshore northern Sarawak and geologically, it is situated in the North Luconia Province that occupies the south western margin of the South China Sea Basin which began opening and spreading during the Early Oligocene (about 32 million years). Play types from these two blocks are from Cycle I/II. The total size of these two blocks is about 8,354 sq km. About 14,295 line km of 2D seismic data within the two blocks have been obtained and two wells have been drilled in this region.

Tags: PETRONAS