Eni has started production of first oil from its West Hub development project in waters off Angola.
The field is currently producing 45,000 bopd (barrels of oil per day) through the N’Goma FPSO which is expected to increase to 100,000 bopd in the coming months.
The 15/06 development project was awarded in 2006, with Eni drilling 24 exploration and appraisal wells.
During the campaign, over three billion barrels oil were discovered and 850 million barrels of reserves.
The start-up of the East Hub Development, expected in 2017, will raise overall production from Block 15/06 to 200,000 bpd.
Eni chief executive, Claudio Descalzi, said: “The start-up of the West Hub in Angola is a milestone in Eni’s upstream activities.
“Starting from an extraordinary exploration success we have achieved an industry-leading time to market of only 4 years from the declaration of commercial discovery.
“This result reflects a new, modular, development model which adds value to our strategy of organic growth.
“The start up of the West Hub is also significant in terms of Eni’s presence in Angola, where are again Operator of a major producing project.”
Eni is operator of the Block 15/06 with a 35% stake and Sonangol EP is the concessionaire.
The other partners of the joint venture are Sonangol Pesquisa e Produção (35%), SSI Fifteen Limited (25%) and Falcon Oil Holding Angola SA (5%).