Project Profile
Location: Sinai region near the Gulf of Suez
Start-up Year: 1956-1962
Water depth: 500 feet (for the Belayim marine development project)
The Belayim oil field is one of Egypt\'s largest and the first-ever oil discovery in Egypt. The onshore portion of the Belayim field was discovered in 1955 in the Sinai region near the Gulf of Suez. Subsequently, the Belayim Marine oil field, considered an extension of the onshore field, was discovered in the waters offshore Egypt in 1961.
The Belayim Petroleum Company (Petrobel) is a joint venture between Eni and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corp that oversees the fields’ production. Located on the eastern side of the Gulf of Suez north of the Red Sea, the Belayim Marine field is situated approximately 103 miles (165 kilometres) southeast of Suez City in waters measuring from 98 to 131 feet (30 to 40 meters) deep. Spanning a 6-mile (9-kilometre) area, the Belayim Marine field produces from the Miocene and Pre-Miocene reservoirs, including the Kareem and Rudeis formations. At a total depth of 8,500 feet (2,591 metres), more than 60 wells have been drilled on the Belayim Marine field over the last half century. Drilling on the field poses certain challenges because of the inter-bedded sands and shales present in the reservoir, which can cause mud loss, differential sticking and formation damage.
The Belayim Marine field was developed by more than 40 different offshore installations, consisting of single-well templates, clusters and piled jackets that support production equipment. Additionally, there is one permanently manned platform. Totaling 13, the first batch of production platforms were installed between 1960 and 1967. The remaining platforms were installed between 1978 and 1989.
Production:
First production was achieved on the Belayim land field in 1956, and first oil was produced from the Belayim Marine field by 1962. Both fields continue to produce and contribute greatly to Egypt\'s production. In addition to well work, structural work has been performed on the offshore platforms to extend their production life beyond what was originally conceived.
License Extension:
In May 2009, Eni signed a new framework agreement with the Egyptian Minister of Petroleum to extend cooperation between the two parties. Within this framework was included a 10-year extension of the Belayim license through 2030. Through this agreement, Eni has committed to spending another US$1.5 billion over the next five years to optimise production on the fields.
Operator:
Eni: Operator with 100% interest
Egyptian General Petroleum Corp, EGPC: Participant
Contractor:
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