Eni SpA has begun production from Foukanda field off Congo (Brazzaville) in record time for that area, company officials said.
Oil production from the field came on stream 3 years and 3 months after its discovery in March 1998, primarily as a result of a lump sum turnkey contract with incentives for on-time delivery of supplies and start-up, said officials.
The field was developed at a cost of 150 million euros, with gross reserves of 40 million bbl of oil. Production is expected to peak at 12,000 b/d next year from five wells.
The production platform is in 105 m of water on the central Marine VI block. The platform jacket was built at Pointe Noire in the Congo, while its deck was constructed in Italy before being moved to the Congo and being joined offshore.
Production from the new platform is routed via pipeline through the Kitina platform to the Djeno terminal for export, officials said.
Eni is operator through Agip Congo with a 65% interest. The State Oil Co. of Congo holds the rest.
Based in Milan, Eni has been involved in exploration and production off the Congo since 1969. The new field is expected to boost its average production in that area to 75,000 b/d, from about 68,000 b/d at present.
Later this year Agip plans to start up Mwafi field in 100 m of water near the northern end of Marine VI. It is to start at 4,000 b/d and reach 9,000 b/d in 2002. Six wells are to produce through a satellite platform with oil shipped via pipeline to the Loango platform and on to Djeno. Mwafi reserves are 26 million boe.
