Production commenced at Mubadala Petroleum-operated Manora oil field in the northern Gulf of Thailand, according to a press release. Production is expected to reach a peak rate of about 15,000 bbl/d of oil as production wells are completed. Up to 10 production wells and five injection wells in the main reservoir sequence are planned. The field is located within the G1/48 concession, about 80 km (50 miles) offshore in 44 m (144 ft) of water depth.

Together with partners Tap Energy (Thailand) Pty. Ltd. and Northern Gulf Petroleum Pte. Ltd., Mubadala will have invested about $300 million in the development.

Originally discovered in 2009, Manora opened up a new oil play in the northern Gulf of Thailand. The field was further appraised by drilling three wells, and field development was sanctioned in July 2012.

First oil from Manora follows the hookup and commissioning phase and parallel operations drilling of the first four of up to 10 production wells. All platform facilities were constructed in Thai fabrication yards. The facilities include a wellhead processing platform with water injection facilities to maximize oil recovery connected via subsea pipelines to a floating storage and offloading vessel. The commercial life of the field is projected to exceed 10 years.

Proved and probable reserves contained in Manora’s primary reservoir and recoverable by natural depletion are estimated to be in the order of 20 MMbbl (gross). Water injection will be implemented from startup, and once its effectiveness has been confirmed by enhanced production performance, further reserves will be added.

Mubadala Petroleum holds a 60% interest and is the operator of G1/48. Tap Energy holds a 30% interest, and Northern Gulf Petroleum holds the remaining 10%.