Total SA has started production from giant deepwater Pazflor field off Angola, saying it expects output to reach full capacity of 220,000 b/d of crude oil “over the coming months.”
Lying in 600-1,200 m of water on Block 17 about 150 km off Luanda, the field has proved and probable reserves of 590 million bbl.
Pazflor has what Total describes as the most complex gathering network ever built in Angola, including 180 km of lines tying in 49 subsea wells, 10,000 tonnes of subsea equipment, and a floating, production, storage, and offloading vessel.
The FPSO is, Total says, the world’s largest at 325 m by 62 m and weighing more than 120,000 tonnes. Held in position by 16 subsea mooring connectors, it can store as much as 1.9 million bbl of crude oil.
Associated gas is reinjected.
The field produces two “very different grades” of crude from four reservoirs. Three of the reservoirs, all Miocene, yield heavy, viscous oil accounting for two thirds of the reserves. After gas separation on the seabed, the viscous fluids are moved to the surface with pumps designed and tested specifically for Pazflor.
Total E&P Angola operates Block 17 with a 40% interest. State-owned Sonangol holds the concession. Other partners are Statoil ASA 23.3%, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Ltd. 20%, and BP Exploration (Angola) Ltd. 16.67%.
