First gas delivered to Egypt from Scarab-Saffron field development off Nile Delta
By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 2 -- BG Group PLC and its partners Monday reported first natural gas production from the Scarab-Saffron field development project to Egypt from the Burullus Gas Co.-operated West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) concession off the Nile Delta. Burullus is a joint venture of BG-Egypt SA 25%, Edison International SPA 25%, and Egyptian General Petroleum Co. 50%.
The Scarab-Saffron field development, the largest gas field development in Egypt, is 120 km north of Alexandria and is the first subsea completion in the region, with one of the longest tie-backs in the world (OGJ, Feb. 10, 2003, p. 45).
The delivery of first gas from the development project marks what BG officials are calling a "major milestone" for both the company and for Egypt. BG has set its sights on becoming one of the country's "premier" gas operators by 2006, the company said, at which time it expects to deliver 40% of Egypt's total domestic production from fields that it operates in the area.
Development
Scarab-Saffron field development included an offshore gathering network comprising two pipelines—36-in. and 24-in.—that are capable of supporting both Scarab and Saffron production. The lines will transport sufficient natural gas for two 3.6 million tonne/year trains of Egyptian LNG.
BG and its partners expect production to reach 330 MMscfd of gas during a 90 day run-in period. "This (level of production) represents the minimum take-or-pay level of 75% of the initial daily contracted quantity," BG said, adding that during the run-in period, the plant may be shut down periodically for start-up modifications.
"The offshore facilities form the backbone for the development of the Simian Sienna fields for the initial supply of Egyptian LNG Train 1 and the proposed development of the Sapphire field for initial supply of the second train," BG said. Meanwhile, Train 1 production is slated for start-up in third quarter 2005, with Train 2 due to follow in mid-2006, the company added.