Platina

Location and Block Details

The Platina project is situated in Block 18, approximately 160km north-west of Luanda, offshore Angola. This block is part of the Greater Plutonio development area.

Operators and Partners

The project is operated by BP Angola, which holds a 50% interest in the block. Other partners include Sinopec International with a 37.72% interest and Sonangol P&P with a 16.28% interest.

Project Approval and Timeline

The Platina project was approved for development in December 2018. The first oil from the project was expected in the fourth quarter of 2021, and it was indeed brought online in late-November 2021.

Drilling and Development

The project involves a drilling campaign using the DS-12 drillship, which arrived in Angola in September 2020. The drilling program includes the execution of four wells: two production wells and two injection wells. These wells are part of a subsea tie-back to the existing Greater Plutonio FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading) facility.

Subsea Infrastructure

The project features subsea wells tied back to the Greater Plutonio FPSO. TechnipFMC was awarded a significant integrated Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (iEPCI) contract for the manufacture, delivery, and installation of subsea equipment, including subsea trees, a production manifold, associated subsea control and connection systems, rigid pipelines, umbilicals, and flexible jumpers.

Production and Reserves

The Platina project is expected to unlock 44 million barrels of estimated oil reserves and add an additional peak production of 30,000 barrels of oil per day to Block 18's capacity.

Support and Logistics

The drilling operation is supported by two cargo vessels, one of which is equipped with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for support and emergency response. The rig is anchored by 12 mooring lines at a water depth of approximately 1,300 meters.

Water Depth and Challenges

The project is located in water depths ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 meters, presenting typical challenges associated with deepwater oil and gas development, such as complex subsea infrastructure and the need for advanced technologies like intelligent well systems and distributed temperature sensing.

Technological Innovations

The project utilizes innovative technologies, including subsea multiphase metering and running trees on wires, similar to those employed in the broader Greater Plutonio development. These technologies help in optimizing production and managing the complex subsea environment.

In summary, the Platina project is a significant addition to Angola's oil production capacity, leveraging advanced subsea technologies and infrastructure to tap into the country's deepwater oil reserves.