Operator Beach Petroleum said this morning that ultimate proved and pobable recoverable reserves (2P Reserves) in the Christies Field had been re-assessed to include the preliminary results of the recent successful Christies-2 and Christies-3 appraisal wells.

As a result, the assessed 2P Reserves have increased by 0.74 million barrels of oil (mmb) to 1.35 mmb.

Beach Petroleum’s share of the upgraded reserves has increased from 0.55 mmb to 1.0 mmb.

Estimated reserves will be further refined when final petro-physical data becomes available.

Reg Nelson, Beach Petroleum’s chief executive officer, said production from the Christies-2 and Christies-3 wells was expected to commence in mid-late October at a combined rate of approximately 1,700 barrels of oil per day (Beach share 1,275 bopd).

“While the wells are capable of producing at higher rates, actual production will be limited by the availiblity of trucking resources,” Nelson said.