Project Profile
Value: Undisclosed
Location: 140 km south of Port-Gentil, the economic capital of Gabon
Start-up Year: 1989
Production Volume: 23,000 bbl/d in 2010 ( 217,000 bbl/d at its peak in 1997)
Rabi oilfield is responsible for 10% of Gabon’s gross domestic product. The problem of gas flaring that arose in this oilfield several years ago led to a significant reduction in oil production and threatened its future performance and surrounding environment.
Mott MacDonald\'s team was involved in developing specialist engineering techniques to capture, treat and re-inject the flared gas back into the gas cap of the field’s reservoir, thereby helping to enhance sustainability, minimise environmental disruption and safely stabilise oil production.
The hydrocarbons are contained within the highly permeable sands of the Gamba and Dentale formations which were deposited in a rift basin of early Cretaceous age, the Dianongo Basin. Trapping is provided by structural closure at the base of the Aptian Ezanga salt.
Operators:
Assala Energy: Operator with 94.3% interest
Total: 5.7% interest
Contractors:
Dodsal: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation work
PSN: Engineering Design contract
Mott McDonald: Installation of a gas injection system to maintain production despite depletion
Wood Group: Five-year contract to provide services to four onshore oil fields in Gabon and deliver integrated engineering, construction, maintenance and industrial services to the Rabi, Gamba, Toucan and Koula assets. Effective immediately, the award will provide employment opportunities for around 200 Gabonese nationals.