ExxonMobil evaluates further developments off Angola

Offshore staff

SINGAPORE -- ExxonMobil Corp. subsidiary Esso Exploration Angola Ltd. is evaluating more oil discoveries in block 15 offshore Angola as a follow-up to three fields currently being developed.

Terry S. McPhail, the company's managing director, said at a christening for theMondo FPSO in Singapore that the evaluation is being carried out in consultation with Angolan national oil company, Sonangol.

Although McPhail said it is too early to list out the development schedule for the next phase, upstream trade sources believe block 15's next big development will be a cluster of fields under Kizomba D, with first oil expected from 2010.

The Mondo field is the first of the three fields being developed under Kizomba C phase of block 15.

Mondo is expected to produce 100,000 b/d of oil beginning early next year. The Saxi and Batuque fields will produce another 100,000 b/d beginning in the middle of next year

Block 15 already produces 550,000 b/d in combined production from the earlier three phases of development – Kizomba A, Kizomba B, and Xikomba.

8/13/2007