The first flow of crude oil and wet gas from the Te Giac Trang field (TGT) began the morning of Aug. 22 through the Armada TGT 1 floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel, according to SOCO International. Initial production is 16,000 bbl/d from the HI wellhead platform, which is expected to reach 55,000 bbl/d by year end.

The TGT Field was discovered in August 2005 and was approved for the initial development by the Vietnamese government in September 2009. The development consists of the FPSO, two wellhead platforms (H1 and H4 areas), and a subsea pipeline system.

Crude oil from the TGT Field is transported via a subsea pipeline system to the FPSO, where it is processed, stored and exported via tankers to regional oil refineries. Gas will be transported through a pipeline to the nearby Bach Ho facilities for processing and transportation to shore via the existing pipeline infrastructure for further distribution to meet domestic demand. TGT oil output is expected to plateau at approximately 55,000 bbl/d and gas production will be about 30 million cubic feet per day.

The block is operated by the Hoang Long Joint Operating Co. on behalf of SOCO and its partners, PetroVietnam and PTT Exploration and Production Public Co. Ltd.

In addition to starting first production from the TGT field H1 Area, the operating company continues to drill production wells in the H4 area of the TGT field and fabricating platform topsides in preparation for its petroleum production start-up in August 2012. Offloading of production from the H4 platform is still being devised.