The Htaukshabin Oilfield, which lies on the southern portion of the Minbu Anticline, was discovered in May 1978 and placed on production in 1979. Peak production of about 10100 BOPD occurred in December 1985 from some 359 wells. Thereafter production declined rapidly until 1990 when a relatively constant decline rate of 12% per annum became prevalent.

Cumulative production is about 19 MMBBLS. Current production (May-2001) is 602 BOPD and 1.44 MMCFPD from 137 oil wells and 15 gas wells, respectively.

The oil ranges in quality between 20-30º API gravity and is low in sulphur with an average pour point of 21-23ºC.

Minor quantities of associated gas are found in the field, which is used locally.

FOCUS calculated the oil-in-place at 142.8 MMBBLS compared with MOGE.s estimate of 157.3 MMBBLS. Sproule International Limited assessed the remaining recoverable reserves at Htaukshabin and Kanni to be 14.14 MMBBLS of Proved Developed Non-Producing and Probable Reserves.

A number of reservoirs in the southern fault-blocks, particularly the 2200-ft sand, are gas-bearing and remain underdeveloped within the field.

The field, covering an area some 9.5 miles long and 1 mile wide, is a structurally complex, north-northwest trending thrusted anticline. Oil has been recovered primarily from sub-thrust traps, east flank closures and a flank dome trap.

The Field produces from an Oligocene to Early Miocene reservoir package. Up to 35 producing reservoirs have been identified that have a combined net pay thickness of 1147 feet. Individual net pay thickness ranges from 5-75 feet. A number of principal and secondary faults have compartmentalized these sands, creating many individual pools within the field.

Some 8 major fault blocks have been identified on the broadly monoclinal east flank of the structure, with oil being trapped by the updip seal of the reservoirs against the major west-hading thrust.

The reservoir sands were deposited in a shallow shelf to fluvio-deltaic environment, representing marine and bay sequences (tidal channels and bars), distributary channel, over-bank, delta front and point bar configurations.