Houston's Vaalco Energy is back online at the South Tchibala 2-H well after utilizing a hydraulic workover unit to replace a failed electrical submersible pump (ESP) system, offshore Gabon.
Image from Vaalco. |
The well is currently producing at a stabilized rate of 1600 b/d gross, or 430 b/d net to Vaalco.
This summer, Vaalco experienced issues at both the South Tchibala 2-H and the Avouma 2-H wells, whcih suffered from ESP system failure.
Prior to temporarily shutting in the well after the ESP system failed, the South Tchibala 2-H well was producing approximately 1700 b/d gross.
In addition, Vaalco is continuing to work on its plan to replace the failed ESP system in the Avouma 2-H well and the company expects to return the well to production prior to the end of the year.
According to the company, a detailed inspection of the failed ESPs is underway to determine the cause of the failures and results from the inspections are expected in Q1 2017.
“We are pleased to have restarted production on the South Tchibala 2-H well and will continue to monitor the performance of the ESP. We are also optimistic about restoring production from the Avouma 2-H well soon,” Cary Bounds, Vaalco COO and interim CEO said.
“I am especially pleased that we have demonstrated that we can conduct well interventions utilizing a hydraulic workover unit which resulted in a more efficient operation at a lower cost when compared with the prior practice of employing a drilling rig. With the recent rise in commodity prices and the resumption of production from the Avouma platform, we are optimistic about our outlook for 2017” Bounds said.
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