Gary W. Willingham, Noble Energy’s Executive Vice President, Operations, commented, “This is a significant milestone as it marks the first step to monetising a substantial amount of gas from the Alen field through existing infrastructure on Bioko Island. This project will transform the Alen platform into an offshore hub for potential development of additional gas fields nearby. First production is anticipated early in the next decade.”
Existing production and processing facilities in place at the Alen platform and in Punta Europa require only minor modifications to produce and process the Alen gas. The agreement contemplates construction of a 65 km pipeline to transport gas from the Alen platform to the facilities in Punta Europa. The pipeline is being designed with capacity to handle production from multiple fields.
The Alen field, located in Blocks O and I, offshore Equatorial Guinea, has been producing natural gas and condensate since field startup in 2013. Natural gas produced has been reinjected into the reservoir to enhance liquids recovery.
The company estimates an incremental 600 billion ft3 of gross natural gas equivalent resources from the Alen field are recoverable as a result of the project. Noble Energy operates the Alen field with a 45% working interest and holds a 28% non-operated working interest in the Alba Plant.
