Total reports 2 billion bbl output from Block 17 offshore Angola

Total SA has reached cumulative production of 2 billion bbl from its deepwater Block 17, 150 km offshore Angola.

The recent startup of the CLOV fields (Cravo, Lirio, Orquidea, and Violeta) makes Block 17 the company’s most prolific site, with production of more than 700,000 b/d (OGJ Online, June 12, 2014). Total operates four floating production, storage, and offloading units on major production zones Girassol, Dalia, Pazflor, and CLOV.

“Block 17 is a global benchmark in the deep offshore and represents a unique industrial adventure, with 15 discoveries and a very high level of production,” commented Arnaud Breuillac, Total exploration and production president. He added that the company is transferring its expertise to areas such as Libra field offshore Brazil and the Laggan-Tormore project offshore the UK.

Total operates Block 17 with 40% interest alongside Statoil ASA 23.33%, Esso Exploration Angola Block 17 Ltd. 20%, and BP Exploration Angola Ltd. 16.67%. Angola’s state-owned Sonangol is the concessionaire of the license.

Total, whose presence in Angola dates back more than 60 years, reported equity production of 200,000 boe/d in 2014, essentially from Blocks 17, 0, and 14.

The company also operates with 30% interest the ultradeepwater offshore Kaombo development on Block 32. A final investment decision was made in 2014 to develop Kaombo’s estimated reserves of 650 million bbl via two converted FPSOs with a total production capacity of 230,000 b/d (OGJ Online, Apr. 14, 2014).

Moody’s Investors Service last year predicted that Angola will produce 2.1-2.2 million b/d of crude oil by 2016 (OGJ Online, Aug. 20, 2014).