The BG Group, operator and partner with ChevronTexaco Trinidad and Tobago Resources, successfully delivered the first natural gas on July 21, 2006, from the Dolphin Deep development to the Atlantic LNG (ALNG) Train 3 and Train 4 processing facility in Point Fortin, Trinidad.
Discovered in 1998, the Dolphin Deep field is in block 5a, 84 km (52 mi) off the east coast of Trinidad in the East Coast Marine Area (ECMA). Production from the field is expected to average 220 MMcf/d of gas.
The Dolphin Deep development consists of two wells with subsea completions tied back to the Dolphin platform. Produced natural gas from the platform is transported via a 610-mm (24-inch), 97-km (60-mi), pipeline to the onshore Beachfield gas processing facility. From there, the natural gas is delivered to ALNG in Point Fortin on the southwest coast of Trinidad via the 76-km (47-mi) state-owned onshore Cross Island Pipeline.
The BG Group-operated Dolphin gas field began production in March 1996. The Dolphin field is contracted to supply up to 275 MMcf/d of gas to the National Gas Co.mpany of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) under a 20-year supply contract. ECMA is scheduled to supply 80 MMcf/d to Train 3 and 120 MMcf/d for Train 4. It is proposed that the gas will be produced under a Combined Development Plan for blocks 5(a), 6, and E, which include the Dolphin Deep and Starfish discoveries and existing Dolphin field. Reserves from these discoveries are to be produced through upgraded facilities on the Dolphin platform.
The development of this project is significant because it is the first subsea completion in Trinidad and Tobago. Also, apart from the wellhead system supplied by FMC Technologies in Houston, all equipment was manufactured in Brazil. The trees were installed in 2006.
The BG Group Plc and its partners started up the Atlantic LNG’s (ALNG) Train 4 liquefaction project at the Port Fortin facility on Dec. 16, 2005.
With a LNG output capacity of 5.2 million metric tons per annum (5.7 million short tons), Train 4 is one of the world’s largest liquefaction facilities.
The completion of the $1.2-billion project, which received government approval in June 2003, brings the facility’s output capacity to over 15 million metric tons per year (16.5 million short tons) and enhances Trinidad & Tobago’s status as the major exporter of LNG to the United States.
“The BG Group and its partners have, yet again, delivered a major project in Trinidad & Tobago both ahead of schedule and to budget. The startup of Train 4 will enhance benefits from the country’s indigenous hydrocarbon reserves,” said Martin Houston, BG Group executive VP North America, Caribbean, and Global LNG.
The BG Group currently supplies gas to the domestic market from the Dolphin field in the East Coast Marine Area, and from the North Coast Marine Area (NCMA) into Atlantic LNG, for export to North America.
From 4Q 2005, ECMA production is expected to ramp up as the Dolphin Deep field comes onstream to supply Atlantic Train 3. Train 4 will be supplied by ECMA, NCMA and the newly acquired Central Block, taking total scheduled operated production for the asset to above 900 MMcf/d. In March 2005, BG Group achieved a milestone of 1 tcf of gross operated gas production in Trinidad.
BG Group continues to invest in LNG expansion and is looking for ways to create and develop upstream opportunities to supply its capacity in Atlantic LNG.
“By bringing the Dolphin Deep field onstream, BG Group and its partner have completed the first subsea development in Trinidad and Tobago,” says Houston. “Gas from this development will feed some of BG Group’s supply rights in Atlantic LNG, which continues to be the leading supplier of LNG to the USA.”
“We are very excited about delivering first natural gas from one of our key natural gas projects in the Latin America region,” says John Watson, president of Chevron International E&P. “Getting our first gas flowing through new facilities for Atlantic LNG Train 3 and Train 4 demonstrates our commitment to this project and to building a beneficial partnership with Trinidad and Tobago.”
“The successful delivery of first natural gas from the Dolphin Deep development underscores Chevron’s commitment to growing the LNG business in Trinidad and Tobago and across Latin America. Chevron is looking forward to enhancing its participation in the region’s growing natural gas industry,” added Ali Moshiri, president of Chevron Latin America Upstream.
Frank Hartley, Drilling & Production Editor
