Woodside Energy announced first oil production on June 11 at the Sangomar oilfield offshore Senegal. This is the first such project for the West African nation.
Officials are hailing the project as a godsend for the country. PETROSEN, Senegal’s state oil company, is a shareholder in the Sangomar project. Its General Manager, Thierno Ly, said, “We have never been so well positioned for opportunities for growth, innovation, and success in the economic and social development of our nation.”
He said first oil from the field marks a new era for the country’s industry and economy, but most importantly, for its people.
Sangomar Field Development Phase 1 is a deepwater project that includes a standalone floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility with a nameplate capacity of 100,000 barrels per day (b/d) and subsea infrastructure designed to allow subsequent design phases.
The field features the Léopold Sédar Senghor FPSO, named after the first President of Senegal, which is moored approximately 100 kilometers offshore. The vessel can store 1.3 million barrels. The first phased includes 11 production wells, 10 water injection wells and two gas injection wells. Another production well is expected to be drilled as the team ramps up production through 2024.
Woodside’s Chief Executive Officer, Meg O’Neill, said, “Delivering Senegal’s first offshore oil project safely, through a period of unprecedented global challenge, demonstrates Woodside’s world-class project execution capability.”
The field development is being progressed by the Rufisque Offshore, Sangomar Offshore and Sangomar Deep Offshore (RSSD) joint venture, comprising Woodside (Operator and 82% participating interest) and PETROSEN (18% participating interest).
The first phase has a cost estimate in the range of US$4.9-5.2 billion.
Crude quality is expected to be 1% sulfur and 31 degrees API, which Woodside said is in demand in European and Asian markets.
