Espoir Field, Ivory Coast

Espoir lies in Ivory Coast Block CI-26, approximately 19km offshore south of Jacqueville, and around 60km southwest of Abidjan. The water depths range from 100m to 600m. The Espoir field has estimated recoverable reserves of 93 million barrels of oil and 180 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

The field has a life expectancy of 20 years with a peak oil production rate of over 35,000bopd and a gas sales plateau of 35mmscfd.

The first phase came into peak production at the end of 2002. The development was centred on a wellhead tower covering the eastern part of the reservoir, and an FPSO. The second phase of development, which is currently being studied, comprises placing an additional wellhead tower and drilling in the Western lobe of the reservoir in 2004.

EQUITY

The field is operated by Canadian Natural Resources Limited. Although originally operated by Phillips Petroleum in the 1980s, Canadian Natural acquired a 36.33% equity in the Espoir field with its acquisition of Ranger Oil in July 2000. In May 2001, Canadian Natural acquired an additional and presently has a 58.67% equity in Espoir, with partners PETROCI Holding (20%) and Tullow Cote d'Ivoire Limited (21.33%) holding the remaining share. Originally uneconomic, it has become commercially viable due to modern drilling and production techniques, secondary oil recovery and an improved production sharing contract.

ESPOIR FIELD

The field came on-stream in 2002 with a rate of 8,500bopd. This was ramped up to 30,000bopd and the production of associated natural gas increased to 30 million cubic feet per day, as six more wells were completed from the East Espoir wellhead tower. The seven wells consist of a producer and an injector pair. The remaining wells are exploration wells on Emien and Acajou.

The Emien prospect was drilled from the East Espoir wellhead tower in mid 2002, allowing a successful discovery to be put into production immediately. The Acajou prospect could double the reserves of the licence area. The potential of the region was also enhanced by a discovery during 2001 in Block CI-40, immediately south of Espoir.

ESPOIR IVOIRIEN FPSO

The production is based on wellhead platform feeding into the Espoir Ivoirien FPSO. In 2001, Prosafe converted the Suezmax tanker MT White Sea to the 1,000,000bbls storage capacity FPSO.

The oil is exported by shuttle tanker and the gas is exported to shore via a 19km subsea pipeline where it is used to generate electricity in Abidjan. The lease is on a 10-year contract, excluding option periods.

The Espoir Ivoirien FPSO registers 140,000dwt. It is moored in about 120m of water offshore using an compact internal turret installed at forepeak. This has the capacity for up to ten risers. The fluid swivel contains eight paths. The mooring system is anchored by three sets of two all-chain mooring lines.

Topsides facilities include crude oil production capacity for 40,000bopd, water injection capacity of 60,000bwpd and gas compression capacity of 60mmscfd for gas lift and gas export.

The FPSO incudes two Mission D-type boilers, fired on deck with gas as the leading fuel, and with diesel as back-up. The capacity from each boiler is 80t/h saturated steam.

The vessel is certified by DNV.

Canadian Natural owns and operates a majority interest in other blocks located in deeper waters offshore Cote d'Ivoire where exploration prospects have been identified. In Block CI-40, 8 kilometres south of Espoir, Canadian Natural operates, with a 61% equity, the Baobab prospect. In 2001, Canadian Natural drilled an exploratory well on this Block that confirmed the seismic interpretation and tested oil at 6,700 barrels per day.

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