By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, July 18 -- Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Ltd. has started production from its Kizomba B deepwater project off Angola.
The $3.5 billion project involves development of 1 billion bbl of oil in Kissanje and Dikanza oil fields, which lie in 3,280 ft of water about 215 miles northwest of Luanda. Production from the fields is to peak at 250,000 b/d (OGJ, Feb. 14, 2005, Newsletter).
Kizomba B includes a tension-leg platform and what Esso Angola parent ExxonMobil Corp. calls the world's largest floating production, storage, and offloading vessel. It has storage capacity of 2.2 million bbl.
Esso Angola completed the Kizomba B project in 31 months. Kizomba A, a nearly identical project producing from Hungo and Chocalho oil fields, required 36 months. Production from Kizomba A began Aug. 7, 2004.
Total production from Kizomba A, Kizomba B, and the Xikomba project, which went on stream in 2003, is expected to peak at more than 550,000 b/d by yearend.
ExxonMobil and partners have reported 38 discoveries in Angola, 17 on Block 15. Esso, operator, holds a 40% interest in Block 15. Partners are BP Exploration (Angola) Ltd., 26.67%; ENI Angola Exploration BV, 20%; and Statoil Angola, 13.33%.