Echo prepares to launch Argentinian upgrades
Echo Energy said July 25 it had signed a long-term contract to equip gas fields in Argentina's Santa Cruz Sur concession with new power generation units, increasing power input to support elevated production levels.
Three onshore gas fields in the area will receive new generation units with a combined capacity of 2,125 KVA, at Cerro Molino Oesete (1,375 KVA), El Indio Oeste (375 KVA) and Oceano (375 KVA).
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Staff will this week begin on-site installation and commissioning of all three units, subject to seasonal winter conditions at the construction site.
Echo Energy plans to install El Indio Oeste's generation unit first, followed by Oceano and Cerro Molino Oeste. It admitted upstream output might be disrupted during the upgrade programme. In addition to the new generation units, Santa Cruz Sur's workover rig is being upgraded and will soon embark on a well intervention and maintenance programme.
A second phase of infrastructure upgrades will optimise the project's gas compressors, resulting in more associated gas volumes that can be extracted for sale through Santa Cruz Sur's main exports line. Echo expects the compressor upgrades to last around three months from commencement.
Echo Energy said June 28 that net gas output from Santa Cruz Sur, which also produces oil, averaged 6.7mn ft3/d from April 1 - June 18, down from 7.4mn ft3/d in the first quarter. It has a 70% stake in Santa Cruz Sur, which has been producing for around two decades.