Ghazeer project: BP Oman to drill 100 wells

Energy major BP plans to drill around 100 wells as part of its Ghazeer project representing the second phase of its multibillion dollar investment in the development of the giant Khazzan gas field in Block 61 in central Oman.

Work on the Ghazeer development, which is designed to boost natural gas output from Block 61 to 1.5 billion cubic feet (bcf) per day by 2021 — up from 1 bcf / day presently — is progressing as per schedule, according to Yousuf al Ojaili (pictured), BP Oman’s President.

“Ghazeer is on target. We have already started to construct the well-pads, as well as commenced construction of the third processing train,” said Al Ojaili.

“We have started to drill wells, with three rigs currently operating in the Ghazeer area. So we are on schedule to deliver the project by early 2021.”

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the SPE International Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference & Exhibition taking place at Sheraton Oman Hotel, the official said that BP Oman plans to eventually drill around 100 wells as part of Ghazeer’s fullfield development. The total capital cost of the project, encompassing investments in both the Khazzan and Ghazeer phases, amounts to around $16 billion over the life cycle of the programme.

BP Oman brought its Khazzan field into operation in September last year, gradually ramping out production to the current 1 bcf/ day. Supplementing this output is around 30,000 barrels per day of condensate as well.

Significantly, learnings from the Khazzan phase have been taken on board to dramatically reduce the cost of drilling wells during the Ghazeer phase, said the President.