Offshore staff
HOUSTON — VAALCO Energy Inc. is preparing to complete North Tchibala 2H-ST, the latest production well drilled from its Southeast Etame North Tchibala platform at the Etame Field offshore Gabon.
The operation involved drilling and cementing a 9-5/8-inch casing string. The well encountered 72 m net pay in the Dentale 18/19 sands, analogous to those previously productive in the North Tchibala Field, and further Dentale sands in the wellbore that could be targeted for testing and production in the future.
For the completion, a fracture stimulation vessel will provide multiple stimulation and frac-pack operations. After clean-up, the company expects a stable flow rate from the well by the end of October.
In its latest update, VAALCO added that the newly converted Teli FSO is permanently moored with final connections taking place of the production risers that will deliver oil to the vessel from the Etame platform.
All but two production lines to the Petroleo Nautipa FPSO have been disconnected and re-routed, ahead of decommissioning, demobilization and retirement of service of the vessel.
More than 90% of the 5,100 m of new subsea, flexible pipes for the reconfiguration of the Etame Field have been installed, as have all the new structural deck extensions at the Etame platform, along with equipment packages required for first oil.
The platform will serve as the central processing hub for the Etame Field once reconfiguration is complete next month.
VAALCO CEO George Maxwell said the new FSO has a 50% greater storage capacity than the FPSO and should support an extension of the economic field life, with a corresponding increase in recovery and reserves at Etame.
09.27.2022
