GLOBAL DATA

Dec. 11, 2014
This month Infield Systems looks at the offshore capex distribution in West Africa up to 2018.
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This month Infield Systems looks at the offshore capex distribution inWest Africa up to 2018. This pivotal area will remain a major driver of offshore activity in Africa, accounting for 80% of the continent's projected offshore capex over the next five years. Indeed, West Africa is anticipated to have a positive growth outlook over the time period with offshore capex expected to increase by 76%. Key operators include Total, Eni, and Chevron, which together are projected to account for more than half of the region's total offshore investment over the timeframe. The largest share of projected West African capex for all three operators will be focused on projects in Angola, which is a major source of offshore activity and is forecast to account for almost 50% of West African offshore expenditure. Notable Angolan projects include Total's Kaombo project in block 32, Eni's N'Goma project in block 15/06, and Chevron's Lucapa field in block 14. Besides Angola, Nigeria is also an important regional player accounting for just under a quarter of West African capex, with Total's ultra-deepwater Egina field expected to require the largest share of Nigerian offshore investment.

Due to thedeepwater nature of a large proportion of West Africa's field prospects, more than one-third of the region's projected offshore capex is anticipated to be associated with the subsea market. The Egina field is expected to require the highest subsea investment during the period, with the field requiring 39 subsea production and injection wells and a number of manifolds. With increasing exploration of deepwater reserves, the West African floating platforms market is also likely to see growing levels of investment over the period of analysis. Pipelines are projected to account for the highest proportion of spend in West Africa, with subsea umbilicals, risers, and flowlines anticipated to account for 75% of pipeline expenditure.
–George Griffiths, Senior Energy Researcher, Infield Systems