Premier Oil has achieved first gas from its operated Bison, Iguana and Gajah Puteri (BIG-P) project in the Natuna Sea Block A offshore Indonesia.

The two-year project was delivered on schedule and significantly below budget, Premier said in a statement on Monday. The company has a 28.67% operated interest in the project.

The development of BIG-P was sanctioned in 2017 and comprises a three well subsea tie back to existing infrastructure. Premier expects BIG-P’s recoverable reserves to be in excess of the 93 BCF (gross) estimated at sanction as a result of the successful three-well drilling campaign which encountered additional productive sands.

BIG-P production ties into the existing Natuna Sea Block A infrastructure, also operated by Premier, and supports the company’s long-term gas sales contracts into Singapore.

Tony Durrant, Chief Executive, commented: “This is further evidence of Premier’s ability to execute full cycle projects from exploration through to production. BIG-P increases the deliverability from our operated Natuna Sea Block A enabling us to meet a growing market share within our existing gas contracts.”

The Natuna Sea Block A consists of four separate producing fields, which have been developed via a combination of platforms and subsea tie-backs to the Anoa facility and the Gajah Baru WHP and CPP.

During the first half of 2019 production from Natuna Sea Block A averaged 11.0 kboepd (net). Premier’s partners in Natuna Sea Block A are Petronas, PTT, Pertamina, and Kufpec.