BHP Billiton announced first production from the Angostura field in Trinidad and Tobago.
First gas production started on Dec. 16, followed by oil production Jan. 9. BHP has commissioned the new facility on a rapid schedule, just 40 months after the discovery of crude oil at the Kairi-1 exploration well in 2001.
Start-up from Angostura represents the first oil production from the northeast coast of Trinidad. BHP expects initial oil production to be 60,000 b/d. The company is re-injecting the bulk of the produced gas into the Angostura reservoirs to support oil production from the field and using a portion to fuel operations on the processing platform. In the second phase of the project, BHP will commercialize Angostura's significant gas resources.
BHP Billiton holds 45% equity interest and is the operator of the Angostura development. The other partners in the block 2C development are Total 30% interest and Talisman Energy 25%.
"This development has opened a new area for petroleum exploration in Trinidad and Tobago and we are confident that further exploration can produce future success for the country and the company," Philip Aiken, president of the BHP Billiton Energy Group, said. "First oil marks a single day but the Angostura project will be delivering benefits to the people of Trinidad and Tobago for years to come."
The Angostura production infrastructure includes a central processing platform (CPP) with three satellite wellhead protector platforms. A pipeline connects the CPP to newly constructed storage facilities at Guayaguayare, where an export pipeline has been installed to allow for offloading to tankers in Guayaguayare Bay. The offshore production facilities are 38.5 km off the east coast of Trinidad and are in water depths of 40 m.
BHP Billiton is continuing its work program in Trinidad and Tobago. During 2005, the company will continue an exploratory drilling program on block 3(a), adjacent to the acreage comprising the Angostura fields, and on block 2(c) retention acreage, south of the newly producing fields.
01-13-05
