Offshore staff

Oil production from Lobito field offshore Angola has begun, reports Chevron Corp. subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil Co. Ltd.

Chevron announced first oil from the Benguela Belize
compliant piled tower in January. First oil from the Lobito-Tomboco subsea project was June 7.

"Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco was completed ahead of schedule, on budget and -- most importantly -- in a safe manner," said John Watson, president, Chevron International Exploration and Production.

The BBLT Development, 50 mi (80 km) offshore in 1,300 ft (396 m) of water, is being developed in two phases. Phase 2 -- Lobito-Tomboco -- involved the construction and installation of three subsea centers, each with a capability to handle nine subsea wells, tied back to the Benguela-Belize drilling and production platform and compliant tower.

Cabinda Gulf is operator of the Block 14 Contractor Group, which includes: Cabinda Gulf, 31%; Sonangol Pesquisa & Producao, S.A.R.L., 20%; ENI Angola Exploration B.V., 20%; TOTAL E & P Angola, 20%; and GALP-Exploracao e Producao, 9%.

6/27/06