Sonasing's FPSO, the N'Goma, is ready to sail away from the Angolan Paenal Yard, Port Amboim, after a naming ceremony, held Saturday (19 July).
The N'Goma will be moved to ENI's West Hub project in Angola offshore Block 15/06, where it will be the first development that will come on-stream among the blocks awarded in Angola's 2006 licensing round, said operator ENI.
The West Hub Development Project includes the Sangos, Cinguvu and Mpungi fields and involves the drilling of 21 subsea wells of which 12 producers, four alternate water and gas injectors and five water injectors.
Water depth is 1000-1500m, with first oil expected by year-end 2014. ENI said the project mark's its return as deepwater operator in Angola.
A second, similar, development project is also being executed (East Hub) to exploit the reserves discovered in the North Eastern area of the same block.
Eni has been present in Angola since 1980 with a net production of 87,000boe/d in 2013.
Formerly FPSO Xikomba, the N'Goma was disconnected from Angola Block 15 in 2011, where it had operated for eight years. SBM is converting the FPSO for work on Block 15/06. The FPSO is owned by Sonasing, which is owned by SBM ƶijϻ, Sonangol, and Angolan ƶijϻ Services.
OPS - a joint venture company between Sonangol and SBM ƶijϻ - will run the N'Goma under a 12 year lease and operate contract.
