Chevron Sub Launched Oil Producing Offshore Angola

Chevron Corporation announced today that its subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Ltd. commenced oil production from the Lobito Field, in deepwater Block 14, located offshore Angola.

The Benguela, Belize, Lobito and Tomboco fields form the BBLT Development, one of Chevron's "Big 5" projects. Chevron announced first oil from the Benguela Belize compliant piled tower in January. First oil from the Lobito-Tomboco subsea project was achieved on June 7, 2006.

"Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco was completed ahead of schedule, on budget and -- most importantly -- in a safe manner," said John Watson, President, Chevron International Exploration and Production. "BBLT is the first of Chevron's 'Big 5' projects to come onstream and demonstrates the company's ability to lead the industry in the selection and execution of major capital projects."

The BBLT Development, located 50 miles (80 kilometers) offshore in 1,300 feet (396 meters) of water, is being developed in two phases. Phase 2 -- Lobito-Tomboco -- involved the construction and installation of three subsea centers, each with a capability to handle nine subsea wells, tied back to the Benguela-Belize drilling and production platform and compliant tower. In December 2005, the Benguela-Belize drilling and production platform was awarded the "Project of the Year" by the Offshore Energy Association.

"With this addition, the project is currently producing more than 88,000 barrels of oil per day from a total of 4 wells (averaging more than 22,000 per well), and will continue to ramp-up as additional wells and fields are brought on line over the next two years. The project's daily peak production is expected to reach approximately 200,000 barrels of oil per day," said Chevron's Managing Director of the Southern Africa Strategic Business Unit, Jim Blackwell.