Egyptian independent Cheiron announced the start-up of the West El Burullus (WEB) project on 16 November. The offshore Mediterranean development has started with initial flows of 45mn cfd, ramping-up to 75mn cfd early next year. “We are pleased to announce the start of production from the West ElBurullus (WEB) gas field, following the successful connection of the first wells to the national gas grid,” Cheiron says. The gas is piped to UK major Shell and Malaysian state firm Petronas’ nearby West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) facilities. Cheiron secured a $75mn loan from a local banking syndicate to help cover part of the $165mn development costs earlier this year (MEES, 14 February).
Cheiron took a final investment on WEB in 2023, initially hoping to produce 150-180mn cfd from the West El Burullus and Papyrus fields, discovered in 2008 and 2010 respectively (MEES, 10 February 2023). But disappointing development drilling saw that estimate revised down to 100mn cfd earlier this year, and it appears to have fallen even further now. Start up was also pushed back from its initially scheduled June date. (CONTINUED - 309 WORDS)
