Unocal Corp News

Unocal Corp. said development work is going faster than expected on the Muni field in the Gulf of Mexico where appraisal drilling found additional secondary natural gas pay zones. Production from the field on Ship Shoal Block 295 is now expected late this year at an initial sustained rate of 100 million cubic feet of gas and 2,000 barrels of condensate per day, the company said in a report on exploration drilling to date this year prior to Monday's annual meeting in Brea, Calif. Unocal said the first Muni appraisal well penetrated two additional secondary gas pay zones and estimated reserves for the 100 percent owned field offshore Louisiana at 100 to 130 billion cubic feet.

Conoco Inc. and Unocal Corp. discovered oil with their K2 exploration well in the Green Canyon Block 562 in deep water in the Gulf of Mexico, Conoco said. Work on the well, located about 180 miles (290 km) south of New Orleans, has been suspended to study the significance of the find, a company spokesperson said. The K2 well, started May 17 in 3,900 ft. of water, was suspended to "allow us to plan a safe and cost effective appraisal of the hydrocarbon zone we have encountered, as well as continue to explore the deeper objectives," said Conoco Executive Vice President Rob McKee. McKee also said the well had encountered oil in a high-quality reservoir and the company was encouraged by the results to date, although the commercial significance is yet to be determined.

Chevron Corp. has announced its intention to buy the second largest oil exporter in Argentina to boost its exploration and production overseas. The companies did not disclose financial details of the deal, but industry sources had valued the privately-held Petrolera Argentina San Jorge at some $1 billion. "This transaction will have an immediate positive impact on earnings and cash flow," Dick Matzke, president of Chevron Overseas Petroleum Inc., said. The venture is Chevron's first exploration and production deal in Argentina. Privately held San Jorge produces about 78,000 bpd of oil and 40 million cubic feet of natural gas, Chevron officials said.

R&B Falcon Drilling has received a letter of intent from for Petroleo Brasiliero S.A. (Petrobas) for a two-year contract for DP drillship Deepwater Frontier, for operations offshore Brazil in up to approximately 8,900 ft. of water. Deepwater Frontier, capable of drilling in up to 10,000 ft. of water, is owned 60 percent by R&B Falcon Corp. and 40 percent by Conoco. The vessel will sail to Brazil upon completion of its current one-well commitment in West Africa. Operations for Petrobras are expected to commence in November 1999. The current well underway in West Africa and the Petrobras work, will essentially complete all of the R&B Falcon's 2.5-year drilling contract obligation with respect to the rig sharing agreement with Conoco. Conoco Inc. and Unocal Corp.