Tripoli, July 5 - Neftegaz.RU. Italy’s Eni and Libya’s National Oil Corporation have announced the startup up of production from the 1st well of the offshore Bahr Essalam Phase 2 project, 3 years after the final investment decision.
The company said that 2 further wells will begin production within a week. An additional 7 wells will come on-stream by October 2018. The Italian company added that the Phase 2 of the project completes the development of the largest offshore producing gas field in Libya, increasing production potential by 400 million cubic feet of standard gas per day (MMSCFD).
Eni’s CEO Claudio Descalzi said: «Bahr Essalam is the product of a longstanding relationship between NOC and Eni, and represents an important milestone to ensure greater energy supply security for Libya. The project further demonstrates the trust and recognition Eni has in NOC as Libya’s sole legitimate oil corporation; one with whom we will continue to work exclusively in-country.»
«The start of production – delivered in an impressive time-to-market, and in a challenging environment – is a significant achievement for Mellitah Oil & Gas. We are proud that Phase 2 will play an important role in supplying Libya with the necessary gas to fuel the country’s recovery over the next 15 years», Descalzi noted.
Phase 2 will be completed between September and October, bringing total field production to 1,100 MMSCFD. Bahr Essalam, located about 120 kilometers northwest of Tripoli, contains over 260 billion cubic meters of gas.
Eni has been present in Libya since 1959, where it currently produces around 320,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
