By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 4 – France’s Total declared Bolivia’s giant Itau gas-condensate field commercial, 10 years after its discovery in Tarija Department.
Itau, discovered in 1999 in Block XX Tarija West, is to start production in mid-2010 at an initial 50 MMcfd of gas, the company said.
Gas is to be processed at Petrobras Bolivia’s 210 MMcfd plant in adjacent San Alberto field just north of the border with Argentina and less than 100 miles west of the border with Paraguay. Total operates Itau with 75% equity.
The Itau X-1A discovery well tested gas-condensate from the Devonian Huamampampa formation. TD is 18,917 ft.
San Alberto was discovered in 1998 and began producing in early 2001. Itau’s development has been delayed until its supply was needed for throughput in the Bolivia-Brazil gas pipeline.
The Total Group plans to spud an appraisal well by the end of 2009 at Incahuasi gas-condensate field found in 2004 on the Ipati block 80 miles north of Itau in Chuquisaca Department. It will drill the appraisal well on the adjacent Aquio license. Total owns 80% equity in both blocks.
Total, OAO Gazprom, and Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos in 2008 created a mixed company to explore the 4,764 sq km Azero block. Total and Gazprom will have equal stakes in the mixed company.
Illustration from Aker BP.
