BP starts up Khazzan gasfield

Super-major BP has brought the onshore Khazzan tight gas project in Oman on stream, the company announced on Monday.

“The start of production from Khazzan, BP’s sixth and largest major project start-up so far this year, is an important milestone in our strategic partnership with Oman,” BP group CEO Bob Dudley said in a statement. “With further development already planned, this giant field has the potential to produce gas for Oman for decades to come.”

Phase one production, which feeds from 200 wells, is expected to reach 28.3 mcm (1 bcf) of gas per day next year, when the second train at the central processing facility comes on line as well. By 2020, when phase two is scheduled to begin production, gas output is projected to rise to 42.5 mcm (1.5 bcf) per day. Together, the phases are expected to tap into around 300 wells and 297 bcm (10.5 tcf) of recoverable resources.

BP holds a 60% operating interest in Block 61, which contains the Khazzan gasfield. Its partner there is the Oman Oil Company for Exploration & Production with a 40% stake in the licence.

“I am delighted to see BP delivering phase one of the Khazzan project within time and budget,” Oman’s oil minister, Mohammed Al Rumhy, added in the press release. “This will result in realising more gas reserves and more production of gas that our country needs to support our energy planning and requirements.”