Vaalco Energy has announced that it has temporarily shut-in a well at its Avouma platform offshore Gabon because of a persistent issue with an electrical submersible pump.

The company had earlier announced in July, that the primary electrical submersible pump (ESP) failed in the Avouma 2-H well on the Avouma platform offshore Gabon in the Etame Marin Permit.

Before starting the secondary ESP, Vaalco and the equipment manufacturer worked carefully to re-design the startup process and regulate the operating conditions so as to prevent another ESP failure.

The lower pump was started in August and operated for 10 days.

As at the time of the secondary ESP failure, the well was producing around 1,850 barrels of oil per day gross or 450 bopd net to the company. Vaalco said it had tried to restart the lower ESP but to no avail and the well is temporarily shut-in awaiting a workover.

The company also revealed that it is working towards mobilizing a hydraulic workover unit to the Avouma platform to recover the failed ESPs in the Avouma 2-H well and the South Tchibala 2-H well. Both wells produce from the Avouma platform and have recently experienced failed ESPs.

Following the removal of the ESPs, Vaalco plans to instantly install a replacement ESP in the Avouma 2-H well and plans to resume production from the well by mid-Q4 of this year.

The Houston-based petroleum and natural gas exploration and production company, added that its Gabon operations have so far not been affected in any way by recent activities related to the presidential election last month, Offshore Energy Today reports.

Anita Fatunji