Cairn Energy先后開發塞內加爾石油與天然氣

Announcing first half 2016 results August 16, Cairn CEO Simon Thomson said that “successful appraisal of the world-class SNE discovery in Senegal has significantly increased 2C oil resources to 473mn bbls.”Having drilled six wells in two years, the joint venture is planning third phase drilling starting 4Q 2016/1Q 2017 with further evaluation of its SNE discovery – targeting a final investment decision (FID) in 2019 that will be based on a break-even price of less than $35/b.

Paul Mayland, chief operating officer, said Cairn expects to submit an exploitation plan in 2018 and take FID in 2019, based on which it is targeting first oil in 2021-23 using a floating production ship (FPSO) and eying gross plateau production of 100-120,000 b/d.

Cairn’s 1H2016 net loss after tax was $38mn, in which its share of North Sea development and Senegal drilling costs were a factor, although this was less than its $230mn loss of January-June 2015.

Meanwhile Cairn is taking India to arbitration in The Hague over seizure of Cairn India shares, demanding $1.1bn plus costs – and if a tax demand remains in place on top of that, a total of $5.6bn plus costs. It expects India to respond in 4Q 2016 with hearings during 2017.