TotalEnergies SE has completed installation of the production platform for Fénix field offshore Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, which keeps the project on track for planned first gas around November 2024, said project partner Wintershall Dea in a release Feb. 13.
The project partners now move to the drilling of three horizontal production wells with a jack-up drilling rig which will be temporarily located next to the Fénix platform in 70 m water depth. The gas will be transported through a 35-km pipeline to the TotalEnergies-operated Véga Pleyade platform and treated onshore at the Rio Cullen and Cañadon Alfa plants, also operated by TotalEnergies, and then injected in the San Martín gas pipeline.
At start-up, the $706-million project is expected to produce 10 million cu m/d of natural gas (70,000 boe/d), representing abotu 8% of Argentina's current gas production.
Logistics and installation of the 4,800-tonne platform—designed to be operated from shore without the need for a permanent crew—were carried out in two phases: the installation of the jacket with four piles in January, followed by lift and setting of the 1,500 tonne deck topside (OGJ Online, Dec. 21, 2023).
Four vessels were involved in the installation of both parts of the platform, led by Heerema’s heavy lift vessel Aegir.
Fénix is part of the world’s southernmost gas production concession CMA-1. TotalEnergies, through Total Austral, is operator with 37.5% interest. Partners are Wintershall (37.5%) and Pan American Energy (25%).
