BP Khazzan gas project completes its 50th well
The first 50 wells will enable production of 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day from Block 61.
MUSCAT: BP on Tuesday announced that it has reached a significant milestone in the development of the Khazzan gas project, with the successful drilling and completion of the fiftieth well at a large gas field in Block 61.
This is the final well targeted for completion enabling first gas to be delivered later this year, according to a press release.
These first 50 wells will enable production of 1 billion cubic feet of gas a day (bcf/d) to be achieved from first gas onwards and delivered to the Sultanate. This will increase to 1.5 bcf/d once the second phase of the Khazzan project is fully up and running in 2020. A total of over 300 wells will be drilled over the estimated lifetime of the Khazzan project.
The Khazzan gas reserves lie at depths of up to five kilometres in narrow bands of extremely hard, dense rock. These complex and challenging conditions require specialist cutting and drilling equipment, the drilling of both vertical and horizontal wells, stimulation technologies to free the gas, as well as accuracy and efficiency.
Local Omani businesses have provided rigs, stimulation and drilling support, with BP bringing to bear its advanced seismic, hydraulic fracturing and well design expertise. Omani firms have won drilling contracts valued at 85 per cent of the total spend at Khazzan and 60 per cent of overall well services contracts.
Drilling efficiency has increased significantly in the three years since drilling began with the average time to drill and complete a vertical well reduced by 27 per cent. A record time of 60 days was recently achieved for completion of one well.
“This is a big day for all of us involved in the Khazzan project and is testament to what can be achieved by integrating wells and reservoir understanding and working collaboratively with our suppliers and subject matter experts in BP. Our local Omani contractors have been an essential part of this success, offering products and services from rig management and drill bits to well interventions,” said Paul Forman, vice president in charge of wells, BP Oman.
BP is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and has had an upstream presence in Oman since 2007. BP is the operator of Block 61 and holds a 60 per cent interest. The Oman Oil Company for Exploration & Production holds a 40 per cent interest.