Image: BP
Global oil and gas major BP and China’s Sinopec have announced the start of the second phase development of Block 18 in Angola. The project will produce 30,000 barrels of oil per day, developing estimated reserves of 44 million barrels of oil.
As part of this second phase development, the drillship DS-12 will drill four wells – two for production and two for injection in the Platina field development – and will be supported by two vessels, with one ship equipped with remote operating vehicles and the other ready to respond to emergencies.
“We are proud that thanks to amazing work from our teams and collaboration with our partner SINOPEC, we are delivering this project with 20% CAPEX reduction, 10% of increased reserves, and 12 months of schedule improvement,” said Adriano Bastos, Senior Vice-President of BP Angola. “The progress of Platina project underpins BP’s commitment to Angola by delivering additional production in support of the company and the Government’s long-term strategy for oil and gas production.”
The President of the National Agency of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels, Paulino Jerónimo, highlighted the importance of the project by saying, “We must not forget the difficult period that the market and the sector is going through worldwide,” adding that “the significance that the commitment of the big operators has for Angola and the work that they continue to do.”
BP operates deepwater blocks 18 and 31 in the Lower Congo Basin and is a partner in blocks 15, 17, and 20, as well as the Angola liquefied natural gas plant in Soyo and the New Gas Consortium joint venture.
