Angola — Block 15

Block 15: Fifteen Years of Operations in Angola

ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited (Esso Angola), recently celebrated 15 years of safe and successful operations in Angola.  Block 15 is a prime example of ExxonMobil’s ability to integrate technological innovation with unparalleled project management in order to deliver results on time and on budget.

ExxonMobil was awarded operatorship of Block 15 in 1994 and the first discovery was made in 1998.  As operator, Esso Angola holds a 40 percent interest in the block.  To date, a total resource of nearly 5 billion oil equivalent barrels has been discovered on the block.  First oil was produced in 2003 from the Xikomba field, followed by Kizomba A in 2004, Kizomba B in 2005 and Kizomba C in 2008. 

Block 15 developments are benchmark projects that set world record cycle times with the lowest unit-development costs for projects of this size and complexity.  The block surpassed one billion barrels of cumulative production in September 2009.

The development of two of the remaining fields is progressing, and production is expected to begin in 2011.  A project to deliver associated gas from Block 15 oil production to the Angola coast is expected to be completed in 2010. 

World-class energy technology
Esso Angola has applied world-class energy technology to move Block 15 hydrocarbon development from front-end engineering and design to production as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.  This includes the installation of five massive floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) and two unique sub-sea well-head platforms, plus other intricate sub-sea developments.

The Kizomba projects involved one of the most challenging extended-reach drilling programs ever undertaken. The longest wells approach nearly four miles (six kilometers) horizontal distance. Thin reservoirs made the horizontal sections extremely difficult to complete. ExxonMobil developed technologies to efficiently drill and complete many of the high-angle wells.

Community investment
Esso Angola’s local workforce comprises nearly 750 people, the majority of whom are Angolans. The focus on national workers is essential to the success of the Kizomba developments and the country’s growing industrial capacity and economy.

Esso Angola contributes to community health, education, and infrastructure projects in 15 of Angola’s 18 provinces. To increase the capacity and quality of schools in many regions of the country, numerous educational structures have been built with funding provided by Block 15.  Over the past five years, more than US$40 million has been invested through Esso Angola and Block 15 funded projects and ExxonMobil Foundation programs. This includes donations to fight malaria and to support educational and vocational-technical training opportunities for women and girls in Angola.

In its operation of Block 15, Esso Angola is a recognized in the fight against malaria and other diseases across the country. Esso Angola’s workplace-based Malaria Control Program (MCP) has contributed to a decrease in the number of malaria cases among employees and contractors. Esso Angola has shared its approach to fighting malaria with communities and the Government of Angola. The company’s StopAIDS program raises awareness among its employees and contractors on the associated social impacts of the disease. The program promotes education, awareness and understanding, and encourages employee involvement in their respective communities.

ExxonMobil in Angola
ExxonMobil’s affiliated companies in Angola currently have interests in four deepwater blocks covering more than 3 million gross acres. Sonangol, the state oil company of Angola, ExxonMobil and its co-venturers have announced a total of 58 discoveries in Angola representing world-class development opportunities with a recoverable resource potential of about 14 billion oil-equivalent barrels (gross).