Cromio

Location

The Cromio field is situated in Block 18, approximately 160km north-west of Luanda, Angola. It lies in deep water, ranging from 1,200m to 1,600m in depth.

Field Composition

The Greater Plutonio development, which includes the Cromio field, comprises several other fields: Galio, Paladio, Plutonio, and Cobalto. These fields are all located within a relatively close proximity to each other, with the entire development spread over an area of about 35km from Platina to Cobalto.

Discovery and Development

The Cromio field, along with the other fields in the Greater Plutonio development, was discovered between 1999 and 2001. BP drilled the initial wells in the Plutonio and Platina areas in 1999, followed by the Galio, Paladio, Cromio, and Cobalto fields in 2000.

Partners and Ownership

The Block 18 concession, where the Cromio field is located, is operated by BP with the following ownership structure:

• BP: 46%
• Sinopec International: 37.72%
• Sonangol P&P: 16.28%.

Production and Infrastructure

The Cromio field is part of a joint development that uses a single spread moored Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) facility. This FPSO has an oil storage capacity of 1.77 million barrels, an oil processing capacity of up to 240,000 barrels per day (bpd), and a gas handling capacity of up to 400 million standard cubic feet (MMscf) per day. The FPSO is connected to 43 subsea wells, including 20 producers, 20 water injectors, and three gas injectors.

Production Timeline

Production at the Greater Plutonio development, including the Cromio field, started on October 1, 2007. The development was expected to reach a peak production rate of 250,000 barrels of low-sulphur medium gravity crude per day.

Recent Developments

In October 2020, BP initiated a new drilling campaign in Block 18, which includes the Platina project. This campaign aims to unlock additional reserves, including those in the Cromio area, and will add 30,000 bpd to the block's production at its peak. The project involves drilling four wells (two production and two injection wells) and is expected to enhance the overall production from the block.

Challenges and Costs

The development of the Greater Plutonio fields, including Cromio, presented several challenges due to the wide area of the fields and the varying water depths. The estimated cost for the initial development was around $1 billion, with a total capital expenditure estimated at $4 billion over the life of the fields.

In summary, the Cromio Oil and Gas Field is an integral part of the Greater Plutonio development, contributing to the significant oil production in Block 18 offshore Angola, with a complex infrastructure and ongoing development to optimize production.