Kiliwani Well Reaches Target Output

UK-listed Aminex said July 4 that gas production from the Kiliwani North-1 well in Tanzania this weekend reached 30mn ft^³/d gross (some 5,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day) -- its target level of production -- with "stable pressure recordings at that rate".

"The commissioning of the production well at Kiliwani North is proceeding as expected, with production reaching 30mn ft^³/d at the weekend.  Commissioning of the well, pipeline and associated plant are going well and TPDC advises that the process will be concluded by the end of the month, after which we plan to test the well to determine optimal flow rates," said Aminex CEO Jay Bhattacherjee.

Aminex added that it is the sole producer into the new Songo Songo island gas processing plant and anticipates that, after well-testing, that the plant will continue to require in excess of 23mn ft^³/d to operate. Aminex as operator as a 54.575% interest in Kiliwani North, with partners Abu Dhabi-based RAK Gas 23.75%, the UK's Solo Oil 7.175%, Australia's Bounty Oil & Gas 9.5% and state Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) 5%.

TPDC has contracted to pay $3/mn Btu for Kiliwani North gas and is the field's sole offtaker. Field commissioning began June 1. The field produced first gas in early April.

Solo said July 4 it still expects to increase its interest from 7.175% to 10% as certain project milestones are achieved. Aminex's stake would be correspondingly reduced at that point to 51.75%.

Mark Smedley | www.naturalgasafrica.com