Total group studying Orinoco megaproject

A group led by Total has begun basic engineering studies for a $2.7 billion project to develop, produce, and upgrade extra-heavy crude from Venezuela's Orinoco heavy oil belt. The project calls for production of 200,000 b/d of 8-9° gravity crude for 35 years via horizontal wells and mixing the crude with a diluent for pipeline transport to Jose for upgrading to 175,000 b/d of low-sulfur 30° gravity crude plus some coke and sulfur. Several wells will be drilled this year to gain

Feb. 24, 1997

A group led by Total has begun basic engineering studies for a $2.7 billion project to develop, produce, and upgrade extra-heavy crude from Venezuela's Orinoco heavy oil belt.

The project calls for production of 200,000 b/d of 8-9° gravity crude for 35 years via horizontal wells and mixing the crude with a diluent for pipeline transport to Jose for upgrading to 175,000 b/d of low-sulfur 30° gravity crude plus some coke and sulfur.

Several wells will be drilled this year to gain added data on the crude and test development options.

Interests are Total 40%, Venezuela's Maraven SA 30%, and Norway's Den norske stats oljeselskap AS and Norsk Hydro 15% each.