Technical hitches impact Espoir, Olowi performance

March 4, 2010
Upgrades to the Espoir field FPSO offshore Cote d’Ivoire should be completed this spring, says operator CNR International.

Offshore staff

CALGARY -- Upgrades to the Espoir field FPSO offshore Cote d’Ivoire should be completed this spring, says operator CNR International. The program is designed to increase the FPSO’s processing capacity.

In the fourth quarter of 2009, CNR’s crude production totaled 32,643 b/d, up 27% from the corresponding period in 2008. This reflects additional volumes from the Baobab drilling program (also off Cote d’Ivoire) and at the Olowi development offshore Gabon, offsetting a well failure late in the year at Espoir. Remedial strategies for the well are under review.

Production from the first platform at the Olowi field, however, remains below expectations. CNR and its partners are examining drilling results and production data to formulate solutions and to determine the impact on future production, recoverable reserves, and the development scope. However, development drilling is continuing at Olowi’s next scheduled platform, which is due to come online in the second quarter off this year.
3/4/2010