Production of crude oil has resumed on the Jubilee Field after Tullow declared force majeure on two cargoes after an issue on the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility that exports the oil.
Initial maintenance deadline was missed, raising concerns it may worsen the country’s shaky power supply.
The first two-week shutdown resulted in shortage of gas supply from the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company to power producer, Volta River Authority (VRA) -- causing intermittent power cuts in some parts of the country.
Pulse.com.gh understands oil production started yesterday but due to the challenges with the bearing on vessel used in collecting, processing and storing crude oil on the Jubilee field, operators are operating at a minimal level to ensure there is not too much pressure on the FPSO.
It is unclear whether enough gas is being processed to feed the Atuabo gas plant for power generation.
A second FPSO arrived in the country on March 3.
Christened FPSO Prof John Evans Atta Mills, the vessel is expected to start producing oil from the TEN fields by July/August 2016, according to a statement from Tullow Ghana.
“The FPSO began its voyage from Singapore to Ghana on 23rd January 2016 with almost zero “carry over”, meaning only 2,000 man hours of work remained to be completed during the voyage. This is a very significant industry achievement. The FPSO will move directly to the installation phase when it arrives on station,” the statement added.
“This will be followed by the hook-up of subsea facilities via flowlines, risers and control umbilicals, much of which has already been pre-installed. In addition, 6 wells have already been completed, and the completion of the remaining wells is on schedule. The integrated facilities will undergo final commissioning and testing during the second quarter of this year before first oil,” the statement said.
The vessel has an oil storage capacity of 1.7 million barrels and a gas capacity and water injection capacity of 170million standard cubic feet daily and 120,000 barrels water daily respectively. The new floating vessel, will be for the Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN) project.