Total and Nigerian Petroleum Launch Joint Venture

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and offshore production and exploration company Total have launched phase two of the Ofon field project in Nigeria, estimated to produce over 350 million barrels of oil.

The field is located offshore east of Nigeria, approximately 50km from the coastline, in a water depth of about 40m and is being developed through Total's subsidiary Elf Petroleum Nigeria.

Total says additional reserves (both proved and probable) to be developed during this phase are estimated to be over 350 million barrels of oil equivalent.

The additional reserves should allow an increase of oil output by about 60,000 barrels per day to 100,000 barrels per day by the end of 2010 – when the new central complex is expected to come on stream.

The company says it expects to build new installations consisting of a processing platform, three drilling platforms and an accommodation platform for more than 120 people during this phase of field development.

By staff writer