Anadarko starts 61,000 b/d production train at Algerian oil field
By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Sept. 5 -- Anadarko Petroleum Corp. has started a second oil production train at Hassi Berkine South oil field in Algeria, which eventually will boost output to 135,000 b/d from 74,000 b/d.
John Seitz, Anadarko president and CEO, said, "This is the first of several new oil production facilities in Algeria we'll be bringing online over the next 2 years, making Algeria an important piece of our near-term production growth story. When all these units are up and operating, our gross production capacity in Algeria will exceed 500,000 b/d."
Anadarko's partners in the Hassi Berkine South project are Sonatrach, Lasmo Oil (Algeria) Ltd., and Maersk Olie Algeriet AS.
The venture plans four production trains at the field. The first was completed in May 1998. Brown & Root-Condor, jointly owned by Brown & Root and affiliates of Sonatrach, built the first two units.
The partners have drilled 24 production wells, 12 water injection wells, and 3 gas injection wells. Development drilling continues and eventually will total 53 wells.
The company plans to complete a 75,000-b/d train to process production from nearby Hassi Berkine field beginning in early 2002. This project includes the installation of a gathering system, injection lines, and crude storage and export facilities.
Eleven wells have been drilled in Hassi Berkine. The unitized field is operated by Anadarko-Sonatrach on Block 404 and by Agip (Algeria) and Sonatrach on Block 403.
The fourth 75,000-b/d train under construction at the Hassi Berkine South complex will process production from five Block 404 satellite fields. First production is expected in August 2002.
When all trains are completed, production capacity will be more than 285,000 b/d.
Development work continues at Ourhoud field, where production capacity will be 230,000 b/d.
In addition to the construction programs, Anadarko and partners are preparing to resume exploration drilling during the first half of 2002 under a contract signed with Sonatrach last spring.