Oil and gas company OMV Petrom has started test exploitation on Totea well in the region of Oltenia in Romania, the largest onshore gas and condensate well in the country, it has announced.

The daily production amounts to approximately 430,000 cubic meters of gas and 58 tonnes of condensate and accounts for approximately 3 percent of Petrom’s daily gas production.

“Totea is a very important project for us and for Romania given the field’s potential. The appraisal might confirm the largest onshore gas discovery in Romania in the past six years,” said Johann Pleininger, member of Petrom Executive Board.

The well was put in production after only 100 days from the discovery by using an early production facility which allows the operator to start production while still working at the field development plan and permanent facilities construction. Experimental production is estimated to start in December 2011 and will last for approximately 6 to 12 months.

Currently, Petrom is planning to drill two appraisal wells which will provide additional information for field appraisal. Based on the results obtained, additional development drillings will be taken into consideration.

“Worldwide, hydrocarbons will continue to account for more than half in energy resources share, in the long run. In order to secure a sustainable hydrocarbons production in Romania we are focusing on maximizing the production from mature fields – which have a greater share in our portfolio, as well as on exploration facilities. Our investments in exploration and production activities annually represent approximately 70% of Petrom’s investments budget”, Johann Pleininger added.

editor@romania-insider.com