Ethiopia could have its first sustained hydrocarbon production in several years.
Calub Gas Share Co., Addis Ababa, hopes to start gas and condensate production from Calub gas field in the Ogaden basin of southeastern Ethiopia in late 1999. A more specific timetable was not available.
The first phase development is designed to start production from the Mesozoic Adigrat formation at 2,720 m through wells 3, 5, and 8 and strip intermediate and heavy hydrocarbons in a 50 MMcfd pilot gas processing plant.
Lean gas would be reinjected into Adigrat through wells 4, 6, and 7.
Expected liquids output is 21,000 tons/year of LPG, 27,000 tons/year of gasoline, 7,000 tons/year of kerosene, and 12,000 tons/year of diesel oil.
The 43 MMcfd of produced dry gas from Adigrat plus 7 MMcfd produced through the No. 9 well from the Paleozoic Calub formation at 3,621 m will be reinjected into the Adigrat to maintain reservoir pressure. Goal is to sustain condensate production for 15 years.
The company envisions a second phase that would involve large scale exploitation of Calub gas for power generation, ammonia-urea fertilizer, transportation, residential, commercial, industrial, and other uses.
The former Tenneco Oil Co. discovered Calub field in March 1973. The discovery well, TD 3,700 m, was dually completed. The Soviet Petroleum Exploration Expedition drilled nine appraisal wells during 1986-92.
Calub Gas Share was established in December 1994 to exploit the field and market the production. The government intends to transfer part of its share capital of the company to the private sector, including foreign investors, said Jihad Abakoyas, general manager.
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