By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 12 -- Equatorial Guinea has approved a Noble Energy Inc. group’s development plan that calls for condensate production to begin by the end of 2013 from Alen gas-condensate field in the Douala basin off Equatorial Guinea.
As Alen field produces 37,500 b/d of condensate under the $1.6 billion project, gas reinjection is estimated to be 380 MMcfd. The condensate rate is 25% higher than originally estimated, leading to payout in less than 2 years.
Ultimate recoveries are estimated at 88 million bbl of condensate and 930 bcf of gas. Noble is negotiating and awarding key project contracts including platform facility construction and installation and drilling resources.
The Ministry of Mines, Industry, and Energy approved the plan for Alen, formerly Belinda. The reservoir is mainly in Block O, site of the discovery well, and extends into northern Block I.
The group will develop Alen with three producing wells and three subsea gas injection wells tied to a processing platform. Condensate will be separated and piped to the Aseng floating production, storage, and offloading vessel on Block I about 15 miles south. Gas will be reinjected to maintain pressure and maximize liquid recovery.
The processing facility with capacities of 40,000 b/d of condensate and 440 MMcfd of gas will be located in 240 ft of water.
Noble Energy is technical operator with 44.65% working interest in the project. Its partners on Block O include Glencore Exploration Ltd. 25% and state GEPetrol with 20% participating interest and 10% carried interest.
Other Block I participants include Atlas Petroleum International Ltd. 27.55%, Glencore Exploration (EG) Ltd. 23.75%, and Osborne Resources Ltd., part of the PA Resources Group, Stockholm, 5.7%. GEPetrol has a 5% carried interest in Block I.
Noble Energy also holds 50% interests in the YoYo block just east of Equatorial Guinea blocks O and I and the Tilapia block, both off Cameroon.
