Oil production starts from Kizomba Satellites Phase 2 offshore Angola

Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Ltd., a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corp., has started oil production ahead of schedule at the Kizomba Satellites Phase 2 project, 150 km offshore Angola in 1,350 m of water.

Kizomba Satellites Phase 2 is a Block 15 subsea infrastructure development of Kakocha, Bavuca, and Mondo South fields. Mondo South is the first field to begin production, while the other two are expected to start up in the coming months, ExxonMobil says.

The project develops 190 million bbl of oil with peak production estimated at 70,000 b/d of oil, and is expected to increase total Block 15 production to 350,000 b/d.

ExxonMobil says the project optimizes the capabilities of existing Block 15 facilities to increase current production levels without requiring additional floating production, storage, and offloading vessels. Mondo South is being developed with tiebacks to the Mondo FPSO, while the Kakocha and Bavuca are being developed with tiebacks to the Kizomba B FPSO.

ExxonMobil was awarded Block 15 in 1994 and has since discovered 5 billion boe, producing more than 1.8 billion bbl of oil. Kizomba Satellites Phase 1 started production in 2012.

Darryl Willis, partner BP PLC’s regional president, Angola, said, “We expect to follow this up later in the year with the Greater Plutonio phase 3 project in neighboring Block 18” operated by BP.

Esso Angola operates Block 15 with 40% interest. Partners are BP Exploration Angola Ltd. 26.67%, Eni Exploration Angola BV 20%, and Statoil Angola Block 15 AS 13.33%. Sonangol EP is the concessionaire.