Eni, through its subsidiary Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd. (NAE), has begun oil production from Abo Central field, in the northwestern sector of the Nigerian deepwaters.
NAE has a 50.2% share, and operates the field. Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Co. (Snepco) is co-venturer with 49.8%.
Abo Central, developed in 500 m and 800 m water depths, is the first producing Nigerian deepwater oil field.
The field's production, which will reach a plateau of 30,000 b/d of good quality oil in the next six months, will be increased in a subsequent phase up to 45,000 b/d.
Production will be obtained via a leased FPSO for process, storage, and discharge of oil into export tankers.
Abo FPSO has a storage capacity of 900,000 bbl of oil and oil treatment capacity of up to 45,000 b/d, a water injection capacity of 30,000 b/d, and a gas injection capacity of 35 MMcf/d.
In line with the government's and Eni's guideline of zero flaring, the associated gas will be re-injected into the reservoir. The field exploration strategy envisages a water injection campaign that, together with the gas injection, will optimize the final recovery of crude oil.
04/08/03