SNE offshore Senegal nearing FEED phase

Cairn Energy and its partners are aiming for approval later this year of their development plan for the deep-water SNE oil field offshore Senegal.

The field extends over ~350 square kilometres (135 square miles) and according to Cairn has two distinct horizons, with a stacked series of S400 upper reservoirs overlying S500 lower reservoirs.

Development will be in phases with the first mainly targeting the S500 reserves via up to 26 subsea oil production, water injection and gas injection wells tied back to an FPSO with around 100,000 b/d production capacity.

This will be stationed toward the eastern flank of the SNE field in ~800 metres (2,624 feet) water depth.

The subsea facilities will be designed for expansion to accommodate future development phases, and to serve as a hub for developing other oil discoveries on the block.

Cairn anticipates first oil from SNE in 2022. Currently the partners are reviewing tender responses for the FPSO and supporting subsea infrastructure and they expect to progress to front-end engineering design (FEED) later this year.

In parallel with the detailed engineering work, they have submitted to the Senegalese government an environmental and social impact assessment study and work continues on project financing.

Transfer of operatorship to Woodside Energy should take place during the fourth quarter this year, with a final investment decision to follow in 2019.

Elsewhere in West Africa, Cairn has an option agreement with Total to take a 30% interest in block C7 offshore Mauritania, targeting a turbidite fan play in a proven oil province.

This will depend on a well decision following completion of a ~7,000-square kilometre (2,702-square mile) seismic programme over the block, and government and partner approvals.

Source: Offshore Magazine