Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria has commenced a $1 billion drilling campaign at the Usan field, targeting an additional 40,000 barrels of oil per day.
The ExxonMobil affiliate and operator of OML 138 said the Noble Gerry de Souza ultra-deepwater drillship has arrived in Nigeria to start the Usan Infill Project.
Esso expects the project to deliver the extra 40,000 bpd within 18 months, providing a quick boost as Nigeria pushes toward its 2 million bpd production target.
The $1 billion investment by OML 138 partners will maximize output from existing Usan infrastructure.
Esso said the project shows continued confidence in Nigeria’s deepwater sector and improving investment climate.
Commenting, Jagir Baxi, Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria, said the milestone represented a new phase for the Usan field and reinforced the company’s focus on short-cycle deepwater production.
He added: “The arrival of the Noble Gerry de Souza marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Usan Field and reflects our continued focus on delivering short cycle deepwater production growth through disciplined investment, in deploying technologies and through operational excellence.
“The drillship’s capabilities are expected to support the safe and efficient execution of the drilling programme while enabling Esso and its partners to maximise the use of existing infrastructure.”
Esso explained that The Usan Infill Project involves additional drilling and subsea development within the existing field.
The project is designed to accelerate production and value delivery while improving recovery from the Usan asset by leveraging infrastructure already in place.
It expects the additional wells to contribute up to 40,000 bpd of incremental oil production within 18 months of the project’s execution.
The company further said the expected increase could provide a significant contribution to Nigeria’s efforts to reverse production declines and strengthen crude oil supply, export earnings and government revenues.
The project is also expected to support Nigeria’s broader energy security objectives by increasing domestic oil production from an existing deepwater asset rather than relying solely on the development of new fields.
According to Esso, the Usan milestone followed years of planning and collaboration involving multidisciplinary teams from the company, its partners and other organisations involved in the project.
It also said their work had been critical to moving the project from concept development to operational readiness.
Following the commencement of offshore activities , Esso assured that it would continue working with government institutions, regulators, contractors and its co-venturers to deliver the project safely and responsibly.
