BG Egypt is enhancing the country's gas infrastructure with an upgraded well control system enabling it to bring new wells on in the complex West Delta Deep Marine concession while maintaining supply from existing wells, offshore the Nile Delta. Delivered ahead of schedule, this latest development, known as Phase 9a, has already started production from three of the nine wells in the programme. The new well control system can now manage the production from additional wells simultaneously and provides the capacity for future potential developments. BG Egypt President Arshad Sufi commented in a statement on Saturday: "Following the $1.5 billion investment in the West Delta Deep Marine concession, our technical team has upgraded the well control system, enhancing the country's gas infrastructure. This has enabled us to safely start up new wells while keeping existing ones producing. This has meant we have been able to supply much-needed gas to our customers and partners which has helped to support the Egyptian economy. "This year marks 25 years of our company operating in Egypt and through our investment in infrastructure, and people in particular, we are proud to have played a key role in developing the country's gas industry." Undertaken on behalf of the WDDM partners (BG 50%, PETRONAS 50%) by Burullus Gas Company (EGPC 50%, BG 25%, PETRONAS 25%), the Phase 9a project scope includes the drilling, completion, hook-up and commissioning of nine wells including rigid flow lines, flexible flow lines, infield control system umbilicals, two new main power distribution cables and associated significant topside controls system modifications and subsea structures. The main scope for the engineering, procurement, fabrication, installation and commissioning (EPIC) of the subsea infrastructure comprising, flow-lines, umbilicals and structures was awarded to Saipem. Supply of the subsea controls and production tree equipment was from GE and One Subsea respectively. Drilling operations were undertaken by Saipem, Diamond and Transocean. Saipem is currently completing the pre-drilled wells. Phase 9a projects achieved 1.9 million man hours with zero lost time incidents (LTI).
