Block Nears First Gas at Georgia's West Rustavi Field

Block Energy expects to launch gas sales from the West Rustavi field in Georgia in either late January or early February, the London-listed company said on January 11.

Block has completed all necessary steps within its control for the field's start-up, including the construction and commissioning of an early production facility and a gas gathering line. It is now waiting on Georgian gas supplier Bago to finish building a compressor station and hook it up to the state''s main gas line. Block struck a deal on gas sales to Bago in October 2019.

Block is preparing to restart oil and gas production at West Rustavi and will be mobilising teams to the WR-16aZ and WR-38Z wells to re-open them, it said.

"The commencement of gas sales will be a significant event for Block and is testament to the capability of our team, who have continued to prioritise this project, despite some significant operational and travel challenges associated with Covid-19," Block CEO Paul Haywood said in a statement. "As well as the commencement of gas sales, we are pleased to be recommencing production and sales of crude oil at West Rustavi with the Brent oil price now over $50/barrel."

Block is developing several oil and gas fields near Tbilisi. It expanded its interests in Georgia in November, closing a deal to acquire licences for two blocks from US services group Schlumberger.