Production begins at Muni field – Unocal’s Spirit Energy 76 business – Brief Article
Perry A. Fischer
Unocal’s Spirit Energy 76 business unit has brought its Muni discovery onstream ahead of schedule and under budget; production should exceed 120 MMcfd by year-end. Unocal holds a 100% working interest in the new field.
One well is currently producing, and two additional wells should be flowing gas by November 1. Muni is one of the largest natural gas discoveries made in the Gulf of Mexico Shelf in recent years, with a gross resource potential between 100 to 160 Bcfg.
The company acquired Ship Shoal Block 295, in OCS Lease Sale 172, in March 1999. First production at Muni came just 10 months after field discovery in December 1999.
Spirit Energy used a project-team approach to work on fast-track field development; it wanted to benefit from rising natural gas prices. In March 2000, Unocal decided to move ahead with development, and the company awarded contracts to design and fabricate production facilities for a planned December 2000 startup.
The platform, facilities and export pipeline were installed and tested about two months ahead of schedule. Unocal expects project-development costs for Muni will total less than $50 million through year-end.
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gulf Publishing Co.
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