By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 2 -- Total SA's Nigerian operating subsidiary Elf Petroleum Nigeria Ltd. (EPNL), which operates deepwater oil prospecting license (OPL) 222 off southeastern Nigeria, has extended Usan oil field to the east.
Usan field is 110 km off southestern Nigeria in 800 m of water. The field was discovered in 2002. In 2004, a western Usan extension was confirmed with drilling of the Usan 5 and Usan 6 (OGJ Online, Jan. 7, 2005).
The eastern extension was confirmed by drilling Usan 7 and Usan 8, Total said Aug. 1. Usan production is planned by 2010.
EPNL holds a production-sharing contract for OPL 222 from Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. It holds 20% interest and is operator. Chevron Petroleum Nigeria Ltd. holds 30%, Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Ltd. 30%, and Nexen Petroleum Nigeria Ltd. 20%.
