Vaalco signs binding letter of intent for FSO at Etame

The non-binding LOI with Omni Offshore Terminals Pte Ltd, which Vaalco announced in April of this year, expired without any mutually agreeable contract being reached.

According to Vaalco, compared to the current FPSO solution the Cap Diamant FSO will reduce storage and offloading costs by almost 50%, lower total operating costs at Etame by approximately 17% to 20% through 2030 and increase effective capacity for storage by over 50%, allowing for greater operational and lifting flexibility and a material reduction in per barrel lifting costs. It is also expected to lead to an extension of the economic field life, resulting in a corresponding increase in recovery and reserves at Etame.

George Maxwell, Vaalco’s CEO, commented, “We are very pleased to finalise an agreement with World Carrier that will allow us to sustain our operational excellence and robust financial performance at Etame through 2030. Additionally, this new solution costs almost 50% less than the current FPSO solution and will reduce our overall costs by approximately 17% to 20%. Current total field level capital conversion estimates are US$40 to US$50 million gross (US$26 to US$32 million net to Vaalco) spread across 2021 and 2022. This capital investment is projected to save approximately US$20 to US$25 million gross per year (US$13 to US$16 million net to Vaalco) in operational costs through 2030, giving the project a very attractive payback period of only two to two and a half years.

It is clear this is a very economical solution for Vaalco and should help us to enhance the profitability of our flagship asset at Etame and materially increase stakeholder returns. We expect to have the FSO in place and operating in September 2022 prior to when our current FPSO contract expires. We will continue to maximise the value opportunities for our shareholders and look forward to beginning our next drilling campaign at Etame later this year.”

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Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/offshore-and-subsea/26082021/vaalco-signs-binding-letter-of-intent-for-fso-at-etame/