ExxonMobil begins production in Angola

ExxonMobil Corp. has started production from the Kizomba Satellites Phase 1 project offshore Angola.

The Kizomba Satellites initial phase is expected to ultimately produce 100,000 bpd of oil, and recover a total of approximately 250 million barrels from the Mavacola and Clochas fields, located 95 miles off the coast of Angola in water depths of approximately 4500 ft.

“This project combines ExxonMobil’s project management expertise with local suppliers and businesses to maximize the value of Angola’s significant petroleum resources,” said Neil Duffin, president of ExxonMobil Development Company. “The Kizomba Satellites project was completed ahead of schedule and with industry-leading safety performance, as was the case with previous Block 15 developments.”

Phase 1 of the project will develop 18 wells with subsea tiebacks to the existing Kizomba A and B floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, optimizing the capabilities of on-block facilities to increase current production levels without requiring an additional FPSO vessel.

Local content

The Kizomba Satellites development has achieved a high level of Angolan content, with approximately US$ 1.5 billion invested in local goods and services, including contracts for fabrication, logistics support and training and development of Angolan personnel.

“Nearly 100 percent of the topsides and subsea equipment were fabricated in Angola, and we have provided more than 10,000 hours of skill-based training to Angolan contractor personnel for the project,” said Stéphane de Mahieu, Esso Angola Managing Director.

In addition to Esso Angola (Operator, 40 %), other co-venturers in Block 15 are BP Exploration (Angola) Limited (26.67 %), Eni Exploration Angola B.V. (20 %) and Statoil Angola Block 15 AS (13.33 %). Sonangol is the concessionaire.

Adapted from press release by Peter Farrell.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/09072012/exxonmobil-starts-production-from-the-kizomba-satellites-phase-1-project/