(Ecofin Agency) - Angolan state oil company Sonangol and its partners have announced the commencement of production at the Mafumeira Sul oil field with an early output of 10,000 barrels per day.

“While creating the conditions for the full operation of the project in the coming months, the EPS will operate with a maximum production capacity of 10,000 barrels of oil/day,” Sonangol said, adding that this signifies another important step for the Angolan oil sector and for boosting domestic production.

The Mafumeira Sul project in Block Zero is situated about 24 km off the coast of Malongo and in waters depths of about 60 meters, Energy-pedia reports.

The $5.6 billion project is using early production systems (EPS), while it is being developed to pump an estimated 110,000 barrels per day or more. Chevron’s subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (CABGOC) is the operator of Mafumeira Sul with 39.2% interest alongside Sonangol with 41% interest while Total and Italian energy giant Eni hold 10% and 9.8% interests respectively.

The development of Mafumeira Sul mainly involves the installation of new platforms, drilling of 34 production wells and 16 water-injection wells, installation of umbilical, riser and flowline (URF) facilities, and 121km (75 miles) of subsea pipelines.

Anita Fatunji