Panoro: Repair works on Aje slated for December

Production from the Aje oil field offshore Nigeria, which lifted its first crude in September, has continued to be limited by the performance of the Aje-5 well, Panoro, a partner in the field said on Thursday.

According to Panoro, Aje-5 requires subsurface intervention to remedy a mechanical problem, and preparations for the Aje-5 intervention program have started with the procurement of long lead items and rig contracting.

The intervention is scheduled to be undertaken in December 2016 and is designed to remedy mechanical issues with the completion of the well.

“The Aje-4 well meanwhile produced throughout the quarter and continues to perform better than anticipated in our earlier modeling. On average the Aje field produced at just over 600 barrels of oil per day net to Panoro during the quarter,” Panoro added.

Also, in its quarterly update, Panoro said the availability  of gas lift on the Fron Puffin FPSO to optimize production rates was limited and some modifications and repair to components of that system have been necessary.

The gas lift system engineering work has been delayed but is now well underway and the system is planned to be operational again in the near future.

The delay in using the gas lift system has impacted production during the third quarter and will also affect the production expected in Q4.

“It is expected that the Aje field will be producing regularly at our earlier stated target rates of 7,000-9,000 barrels of oil per day once the Aje-5 well is successfully brought back on line which we anticipate to be in early 2017,” Panoro said.

As for the Aje gas development project, which involves production and sale of gas and liquids from the 163 mmboe Turonian reservoir, it is now is moving through concept definition towards a Field Development Plan.

“We expect to submit detailed plans for the project for approval during the first half of 2017,” Panoro said.

Offshore Energy Today Staff