Jasmim on stream

The Jasmim field in block 17 off Angola in western Africa has come on stream, report national oil company Sonangol and operator Total. Statoil holds 13.33 per cent of this acreage.

Proven in April 2000, the field is one of 15 discoveries in the block and the second to begin production after Girassol. The latter came on stream in December 2001.

Jasmim lies in 1,400 metres of water about 150 kilometres from land, and its development embraces eight subsea wells tied back to the Girassol production ship five kilometres away.

Bringing this field on stream increases output from Girassol’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to more than 230,000 barrels of oil per day.

It also extends plateau production from the area, and forms part of Total’s strategy for increased output from block 17.

Development of Dalia was also sanctioned earlier this year, with the field expected to come on stream in the second half of 2006.

“Total has modified the Girassol FPSO without incident, so safety has been good.” notes Petter Øyen, project manager for international oil assets Angola development in the International Exploration & Production (INT) business area.

“Increasing daily output and extending plateau production from the FPSO mean that Jasmim’s share of block 17 output will gradually rise to 20 per cent by 2006.”

Sonangol is the block 17 concessionaire, and Total has a 40 per cent interest. In addition to Statoil, the other partners are Esso Exploration Angola with 20 per cent, BP Exploration 16.67 per cent and Norsk Hydro 10 per cent.