Tortue Test Validates FLNG Plans: Kosmos
US-based and newly London-listed independent Kosmos Energy said August 23 it has successfully completed a drill stem test (DST) of the Tortue-1 well offshore Mauritania in 2,700 meters of water depth on Block C-8, adding that the results validate its plans for a floating LNG (FLNG) project.
The Tortue-1 well flowed at a sustained, equipment-constrained rate of some 60mn ft3/d during the main, extended flow period, with minimal pressure drawdown, providing confidence in well designs that are capable of producing some 200mn ft3/d each, said Kosmos.
It added that initial analysis of fluid samples collected during the test indicated that Tortue gas is well-suited for liquefaction given low levels of liquids and minimal impurities. Data acquired from the DST will be used to further optimize field development and to refine process design parameters critical to the front-end engineering and design (Feed) process expected to begin later this year.
“The positive results from the DST confirm that the Tortue field is a world-class resource and validates the assumptions that underpin our development concept,” said CEO Andrew G Inglis: “The combination of high well rates, large connected volume per well together with a gas well-suited for liquefaction is why we believe Tortue is one of the lowest cost pre-FID [final investment decision] greenfield LNG projects. The Kosmos BP partnership remains aligned on delivering a final investment decision for the project in 2018 and first gas in 2021.”
The test was conducted by the Atwood Achiever drillship, which has now mobilised to the Hippocampe prospect, also on Block C-8 offshore Mauritania, to begin exploration drilling operations. Kosmos is exploration operator of Block C-8 with a 28% participating interest. BP is named operator with a 62% participating interest, and Mauritanian state SMHPM has a 10% interest.
The original Tortue-1 well in April 2015 was the first of Kosmos's multiple discoveries in the Greater Tortue gas complex. Now with BP, Kosmos this autumn is exploring more for oil prospects, but insists it still intends to go ahead with a FLNG development.
Kosmos announced August 21 that it was admitted to the London Stock Exchange, three weeks after it announced this would happen; its primary listing remains on the New York Stock Exchange
Mark Smedley