First oil has been achieved from Shell's deepwater Malikai field, offshore Sabah, Malaysia.
The project is Shell's second deepwater project offshore Malaysia, and its first tension leg platform (TLP) in the country, following Gumusut-Kakap, which came online in 2014.
Malikai sits about 100km off Sabah, in about 500m (1640ft) water depth. It comprises two main reservoirs with a peak annual production of 60,000 b/d. Oil is transported by pipeline to the shallow-water Kebabangan platform for processing. Produced gas is used to power the TLP and provide gas lift.
Onshore fabrication and commissioning of the Malikai deepwater platform was completed in June 2016 at Pasir Gudang in Peninsular Malaysia.
The project saw the reuse of eight giant tendon support buoys, first deployed on the Mars B project in the Gulf of Mexico. The buoys temporarily hold the ends of mooring tendons, or tethers, in place until they can be connected to the platform during installation.
The field is part of the Block G Production Sharing Contract awarded by Petronas in 1995. Shell, the operator, and ConocoPhillips each hold a 35% interest in the development, while Petronas Carigali has 30%.
According to partner Petronas, production started on 11 December. Petronas says this is the fourth deepwater in Malaysia after the Kikeh, Siakap-North Petai, and Gumusut Kakap fields.
“Development of Malikai is one of the key elements of the Sabah integrated oil and gas project initiated by Petronas,” said Encik Muhammad Zamri Jusoh, Petronas’ Vice President of Malaysia Petroleum Management.
The Malikai field is operated by Shell (35%), partnering with ConocoPhillips Sabah (35%) and Petronas (30%).
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