Tullow rectifying water issues at Jubilee Field offshore Ghana
Production from the deepwater Jubilee oil field offshore Ghana was impacted by a higher-than-expected water cut from certain wells during the first half of the year.
This impacted riser stability on the field’s eastern side, operator Tullow Oil said in an update. However, following the introduction of riser base gas lift in this area, more normal production has been restored and stabilized.
The partners have now sanctioned extending riser base gas lift to Jubilee’s western flank and expect to implement the system here over the next few years.
Water injection levels, meanwhile, have been lower than expected due to the length of planned maintenance and an issue with the sea water lift system. Tullow is aiming to restore water injection rates closer to the capacity of 300,000 bbl/d later this year, providing improved pressure support.
Production should be boosted further by the recently onstream producer well J72-P. The next planned new Jubilee producer, J73-P, should be online around the end of the year, with a further four new wells planned for 2026.
Production from the nearby offshore TEN fields has been averaging 16,400 bbl/d, boosted after opening a previously shut-in production interval in the Enyenra Field and optimization of water injection.
The TEN FPSO’s flare tip was replaced in May, which has brought a further 50% reduction in routine flaring since last month.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ghana’s government concerning extensions to both projects’ licenses to 2040 includes a commitment to increase the supply of gas from the current level of about 100 MMcf/d to 130 MMcf/d, along with a reduced price for Jubilee’s associated gas.
In addition, the MoU outlines further development prospects for Jubilee, including the right to drill up to 20 additional wells, with an estimated investment of up to $2 billion over the life of the licenses.
To the west of Ghana, Tullow has decided to exit two operated exploration licenses offshore southeastern Cote d'Ivoire (CI-524 and CI-803) and the MLO 114 and MLO 119 (operated) licenses in the Malvinas Basin offshore Argentina. Tullow continues to focus efforts on infrastructure-led exploration activities in Ghana.