Chevron subsidiary Noble Energy EG Ltd. has achieved first gas flow from the Alen Gas Monetization Project in the Douala basin offshore Equatorial Guinea. The project consists of a 70-km (43.5 miles) pipeline with a capacity of 950 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per day (MMcfe/D) that allows gas from the Alen field to be processed through onshore existing facilities, maximizing development of current and future regional gas resources.
Noble calls the project a key step forward for the country’s envisioned Equatorial Guinea Gas Mega Hub, which seeks to utilize existing infrastructure and support the gas industry within Equatorial Guinea.
“As a company, we are proud to be a strategic partner in this joint effort, and we look forward to continue contributing to the economic and social development of the country,” said Gene Kornegay, Vice President and Country Manager of Noble Energy EG Ltd.
This project facilitates the transport of gas from offshore production infrastructure to existing onshore facilities at Punta Europa (the Alba Plant and the Equatorial Guinea LNG Plant), where it will be processed and converted into LNG, allowing for future discovered resources to be processed in the country, supporting jobs and economic growth.
At startup, natural gas sales from the Alen field are anticipated to be between 200 and 300 MMcfe/D gross. Total estimated gross recoverable resources from the Alen field are roughly 600 Bcf of natural gas equivalent. Gross capital expenditures for the development was estimated to be $330 million ($165 million net to Noble).
The Alen field is located on Block O (95%) and Block I (5%) offshore Equatorial Guinea. Noble Energy operates the field and holds an approximate 45% working interest in the project. Other Block O interest owners include Glencore with 25% and GEPetrol with the remaining 30%. Other Block I interest owners include Glencore with 23.75%, Atlas with 27.53%, GEPetrol with 5%, and Gunvor with the remaining stake.