The initial flowrate from the upper interval (of a completion optionally capable of producing from either one or two intervals), was established at 9500 barrels oil per day (bopd), with no water production and accompanied by about 10 million cubic feet per day of solution gas. The inlet choke pressure on the FPSO was 1400 psi.

The Basker development is in 155m water depth, 75km offshore in the Bass Strait, offshore Gippsland, Victoria, and involves the first FPSO in the Gippsland Basin.

But in the early hours of this morning, after about 13 hours of production at an average stabilised flowrate of 10,000 bopd, the FPSO production swivel, which allows the vessel to rotate around the turret mooring, had a mechanical problem.

Production was shut-in at midnight, the turret mooring disconnected, and diagnostic work commenced to resolve the problem. By daylight, Anzon had found that the problem was confined to the two unused production swivels (out of four) and the required repairs were being assessed.

Meanwhile, repairs to the bow loading system on the Basker Spirit shuttle tanker are nearing completion, and it is expected to be ready to return to the field this Thursday.

Last week, bearings on the 680,000-barrel capacity vessel’s bow loading system failed when it tried to connect to the FPSO’s single point mooring system, and the Basker Spirit returned to Port Phillip Bay for repairs.

Anzon plans for the Basker-2 well to produce under an extended production test for six months, while optimisation of the balance of the full field development is undertaken. FFD production at more than 20,000 bopd is expected in mid 2006.

The participants in the BMG Joint Venture are: Anzon Australia Limited 62.5% (operator) and Beach Petroleum Ltd 37.5%.