Partners Kosmos Energy and BP have confirmed the Tortue field offshore Mauritania to be a “world-class” resource, following a successful drill stem test (DST) of the Tortue-1 well with the Atwood Achiever drillship, which has now been mobilized to the Hippocampe prospect.
 |
|
Atwood Achiever. Image from Atwood Oceanics. |
Kosmos says the JV is moving to begin the front-end engineering and design (FEED) process later this year. A final investment decision for Tortue is set for next year, with first gas expected in 2021.
Through the DST, Kosmos says the company has confirmed key development parameters including well deliverability, reservoir connectivity, and fluid composition.
The Tortue-1 well, at 2700m water depth, flowed at a sustained, equipment-constrained rate of approximately 60 MMcf/d during the main, extended flow period, with minimal pressure drawdown, providing confidence in well designs that are each capable of producing approximately 200 MMcf/d.
The DST results were able to confirm a connected volume per well consistent with the current development scheme, which together with the high well rate is expected to result in a low number of development wells compared to equivalent schemes, says Kosmos.
Initial analysis of fluid samples collected during the test indicate Tortue gas is well suited for liquefaction given low levels of liquids and minimal impurities. Kosmos will use the data acquired from the DST to further optimize field development and to refine process design parameters critical to FEED process anticipated to begin later this year.
"The positive results from the DST confirm that the Tortue field is a world-class resource and validates the assumptions that underpin our development concept," says Andrew G. Inglis, Kosmos chairman and CEO. "The combination of high well rates, large connected volume per well together with a gas well-suited for liquefaction is why we believe Tortue is one of the lowest cost pre-FID greenfield LNG projects. The Kosmos BP partnership remains aligned on delivering a final investment decision for the project in 2018 and first gas in 2021."
Earlier this month, KBR confirmed that the company was awarded the pre-FEEDand project support services contracts for the development of the Tortue / Ahmeyim field. In OE’s July 2017 edition, the EIC said sources believe that the company is also preparing to carry out FEED studies.
The Atwood Achiever, mobilized to the Hippocampe prospect in Block C-8 offshore Mauritania, will soon begin exploration drilling operations.
Kosmos is exploration operator of Block C-8 with a 28% participating interest. BP is named operator with a 62% participating interest, and Societe Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures et de Patrimoine Minier (SMHPM) has a 10% participating interest.
Read more:
Subscribe
