Co-venturer Tap Oil told the market yesterday that problems were experienced with emergency shutdown equipment aboard the Four Vanguard floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO).

As a result, it said Eni as operator immediately halted production at the field, which produces 5000 barrel of oil per day, as it attempted to fix the system.

Output at the field is expected to restart in late January, once all maintenance and operational verifications have been made, according to Tap.

“This event will have limited impact on Tap’s budgeted annual production performance, which includes allowances for unplanned shutdowns,” the company said.

“The production from the field is only deferred for the period of the shutdown and there is no impact on the total reserves of Woollybutt.”

Tap noted that the shutdown would not affect the tie-back of the recently successful Woollybutt South development well, Woollybut-4H, in late May.

This well is expected to increase field output to 12,000bopd.

Stakeholders in the Woollybutt oil field, in WA-25-L, are Eni Australia (operator – 65%), Mobil Australia (20%), and Tap Oil (15%).