ExxonMobil Corporation on Wednesday announced the pumping of first oil by its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, ahead of schedule at the Erha North Phase 2 project offshore Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement issued by Mr Oge Udeagha, Manager, Media and Communications, Exxonmobil in Lagos. The statement said that Erha North Phase 2 project was a deep water subsea development located 60 miles offshore Nigeria in 3,300 feet of water and four miles north of the Erha field, which has been producing since 2006.
According to the statement, Erha North Phase 2 project includes seven wells from three drill centres tied back to the existing Erha North Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, reducing additional infrastructure requirements.
The company said that the project was estimated to develop an additional 165 million barrels from the currently producing Erha North field. ExxonMobil expects to increase its global production volumes this year by two per cent to 4.1 million oil-equivalent barrels per day, driven by seven per cent liquids growth. The volume increase is supported by the ramp up of projects completed in 2014 and the expected start-up of major developments in 2015.
The Erha North field was discovered in 2004 and initial production commenced in 2006.
Operator Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited holds a 56.25 per cent interest in Erha North Phase 2, while Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) holds the remaining 43.75 per cent share.
