ExxonMobil announces $1.1 billion Turrum Field development

Esso Australia is the Turrum field operator and holds 50% interest with BHP Billiton. Esso Australia operates 21 offshore oil and gas production facilities in Bass Strait and also operates and holds 32.5% interest in the Kipper Unit Joint Venture with BHP Billiton and Santos.

The Turrum field holds approximately one trillion cu ft of gas and 110 million bblof oil and natural gas liquids. The development concept for the project is based on the construction of a new platform bridge-linked to the existing Marlin A platform in Bass Strait. The platform will process additional oil production and gas cycling, which will be piped back to existing processing facilities at Longford. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2009. Oil production is expected in 2011, and first gas sales are estimated to take place in 2015.

The Kipper resource holds approximately 620 billion cu ft of recoverable gas and 30 million bblof condensate/liquified petroleum gas. The Kipper field will be developed by the installation of a number of subsea wells, piped back to existing infrastructure at Longford. Construction will begin in the second half of 2008 and first gas is expected in 2011.