VAALCO’s H2S plans off Gabon shelved until oil prices recover

VAALCO Energy (VAALCO), an oil production company, is putting off its offshore Gabon Etame Marin Crude Sweetening Project (CSP) until oil prices recover to levels that support positive economic returns. 

“Although over 15 potential solutions were identified and evaluated to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from produced fluids, none are economic in the current depressed oil price environment,” VAALCO said.

The suspension of the CSP resulted in a 1.9 million barrels of oil net to VAALCO reduction of VAALCO’s proved reserves as of December 31, 2015. The sour reserves will be reclassified to contingent resources at January 1, 2016.

Steve Guidry, Chief Executive Officer and Director, commented: “Although currently suspended, the groundwork has been laid to quickly and efficiently restart the project when prices improve to an acceptable level. The associated reserves would then most likely be reclassified as proven.”

Furthermore, VAALCO informed it has no plans to drill any more wells during this year on its Etame Marin block offshore Gabon. Consequently, VAALCO’s contract with Transocean for the Conestllation II jack-up drilling rig is being discussed with the offshore driller.

Guidry said, “On January 25, 2016, we began demobilizing the Constellation II rig operated by Transocean and no longer intend to drill any wells in 2016 on our Etame Marin block offshore Gabon. We are pleased with the overall results we achieved with our 2015 drilling program as we reversed the decline in our production and meaningfully increased our volumes. Due to the continued sharp decline in oil prices we have determined additional drilling to be uneconomic.

Guidry added: “As a result, we estimate our 2016 capital expenditures to now range from $4 to $6 million. We are in discussions with Transocean regarding the remaining rig contract term which we believe carries a maximum exposure of approximately $7 million (net).”

Workover campaign

The company’s workover campaign at the Avouma Platform in the Etame Marin block offshore Gabon is complete. Three wells were included in the project consisting of the South Tchibala 2-H, Avouma 3-H and the Avouma 2-H. Production from the Avouma Platform, one of four currently installed in the Etame Marin block, is tied back to the Petroleo Nautipa FPSO.

According to the company, the South Tchibala 2-H workover operation was completed and restored approximately 1,700 gross barrels of oil per day (BOPD) (415 BOPD net to VAALCO) of production that had been offline since August of 2014 due to downhole equipment failure. The Avouma 2-H workover operation was also completed and the well is flowing approximately 3,000 gross BOPD (730 BOPD net to VAALCO) following the workover.

The Avouma 2-H post-workover rate represents an increase of approximately 500 gross BOPD (122 BOPD net to VAALCO) from the well which was on production prior to the workover.

Finally, the Avouma 3-H workover operation was suspended and the well was secured for future use due to downhole equipment becoming lodged in the wellbore with efforts to remove it being unsuccessful. The company will fully review the circumstances that caused this issue to determine if additional operations can be conducted on the Avouma 3-H at a future date, VAALCO said. This well was not on production prior to the workover operation.

Guidry said: “Two of the three workovers at the Avouma Platform were completed on time and slightly under budget and either restored or sustained over 4,700 BOPD of gross production, or 1,145 BOPD net to VAALCO. Unfortunately, the third workover at Avouma 3-H was not successful due to a mechanical issue.”

VAALCO said its net production for the fourth quarter of 2015 averaged approximately 4,859 net barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE), up 31% compared with 3,696 net BOE in the fourth quarter of 2014.

For the full year 2015, its net production averaged approximately 4,627 net BOE per day, up 16% compared with 3,995 net BOE per day in full year 2014.

Offshore Energy Today Staff