Exploration/Development news briefs, May 9

May 9, 2001
ABB Offshore Systems ... Kværner ... BP Brasil ... Petroleo Brasileiro ... Esso Brasil ... TotalFinaElf ... Lexxor Energy


ABB Offshore Systems Inc. has awarded Kværner AS the $28 million contract to manufacture and supply the electrohydraulic steel tube umbilicals and gas lift risers for the Bonga development off Nigeria, the Anglo-Norwegian engineering outfit said Wednesday. Kværner Oilfield Products will be charged with project management, engineering, and the manufacture of 54,200 m of dynamic and static configuration production control umbilicals, and 17,100 m of gas lift risers.

BP Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of BP PLC, found natural gas in Foz do Amazonas (mouth of the Amazon river) and is evaluating whether there is gas in commercial quantities. The 25,000 sq km BFZ-2 block was granted in 1998 to operator BP, 35%; Petroleo Brasileiro SA, 30%; ExxonMobil Corp. subsidiary Esso Brasil, 20%; and TotalFinaElf SA, 15%.

Lexxor Energy Inc., Calgary, said it has drilled two exploratory wells in its Neutral Hills property in Alberta. One is producing 300 Mcfd.