First gas from stage two of West Nile Delta project

BP has announced first gas from the second stage of its West Nile Delta development offshore Egypt. The project, which produces gas from the Giza and Fayoum fields, has been developed as a deepwater, long-distance tie-back to an existing onshore plant.

The start-up is the second in a string of new upstream major projects expected to be brought onstream in 2019 for BP. The company plans to deliver 900,000 boe/d by 2021.

The West Nile Delta development includes a total of five gas fields across the North Alexandria and West Mediterranean Deepwater offshore concession blocks. It was originally planned as two separate projects; however, BP and its partners realised the opportunity to deliver it in three stages, accelerating delivery of gas production commitments to Egypt.

Stage one of the project, which started producing in 2017, included gas production from the first two fields – Taurus and Libra. The Giza and Fayoum development, which includes eight wells, is currently producing around 400mn cf/d of gas and is expected to ramp up to a maximum rate of approximately 700mn cf/d. The third stage of the project will develop the Raven field, with production expected in late 2019.

When fully onstream in 2019, combined production from all three phases of the West Nile Delta project is expected to reach almost 1.4bn cf/d, equivalent to about 20% of Egypt’s current gas production. All the gas produced will be fed into the national gas grid.

BP has an operating stake of 82.75% in the project, with DEA holding the remaining 17.25% stake.

West Nile Delta project
Photo: BP