The Kumul Terminal has been closed for repairs. A full inspection of the other anchor lines is now underway, with the initial review revealing that one other line is showing some signs of wear. The final scope of the required repairs will be known when all anchor lines have been fully inspected, Oil Search said.

With the storage facilities associated with the oil fields nearing maximum capacity, production was reduced over the weekend from 36,000 bopd to about 3,700 bopd, according to the company. Gas injection into the Moran field continues as normal.

"At present the Gobe Main and SE Gobe fields are producing at their full combined rate of around 10,000 bopd, however it is expected that storage tanks in this areas will reach capacity in the third week in February," Oil Search said.

"Once this occurs production from the Gobe fields will be curtailed until the Kumul loading facility is repaired. It is anticipated that repairs to the broken anchor line can be completed by the beginning of March. Should it be necessary to replace some or all of the other anchor lines, repairs may take up to seven weeks.”

Planned field maintenance and SE Mananda tie-in work will be accelerated and carried out at Kutubu and Moran during this period of low production, Oil Search said.