BP has started up gas production at the Raven field, offshore Egypt.
This is the third phase of its West Nile Delta (WND) project.
“Completing this major multi-stage development in the face of many challenges is testament to BP’s long-term commitment to Egypt and our excellent working relationships with partners and the government,” said BP CEO Bernard Looney.
“West Nile Delta will make an important contribution to meeting Egypt’s growing energy needs, by providing a cost-competitive and resilient gas supply from the country’s own resources.”
Raven is producing around 600 million cubic feet (17 million cubic metres) per day of gas. At peak, the field will reach 900 mmcf (25.5 mcm) per day and 30,000 barrels per day of condensate.
Infill and exploration
BP’s regional president for North Africa Karim Alaa said starting up Raven “in an extremely difficult period would not have been possible without commitment and close co-operation from the team.
“Working together with the Ministry of Petroleum and our partners we can now explore the potential use of the West Nile Delta facilities for developing future infill and nearby exploration opportunities.”
The Taurus and Libra fields started in March 2017, with the Giza and Fayoum starting in February 2019. The $9 billion WND project covers the North Alexandria and West Mediterranean Deepwater blocks.
The new field produces gas to its own onshore processing facility, next to the first WND processing plant.
WND includes 25 producing wells, exporting gas via subsea tiebacks. Total capacity at the project is 1.4 billion cubic feet (40 mcm) per day of gas. Raven had been due to start in 2019 but there were delays because of pipeline corrosion problems.
BP is the operator of the project and has a 82.75% stake in WND, while Wintershall Dea has 17.25%.
Wintershall Dea CEO Mario Mehren said WND was a “strategically significant project for Egypt’s energy security”. Furthermore, the plan is an “important part of Wintershall Dea’s gas-weighted portfolio”.
The German company said its next step in Egypt was starting exploration at East Damanhour. This will involve several wells in the onshore Nile Delta, close to its Disouq operations.