BP confirmed the start of oil production from the Kizomba Satellites phase 2 development in Block 15, offshore Angola. Operated by ExxonMobil, the deepwater project is expected to produce around 70,000 barrels of oil per day at peak.

“This is the first of BP’s planned start-ups for 2015 and is another successful project from this prolific block,” said Darryl Willis, BP’s regional president, Angola. “We expect to follow this up later in the year with the Greater Plutonio phase 3 project in neighbouring Block 18 which is operated by BP.”

Kizomba Satellites phase 2 is a subsea infrastructure development of the Kakocha, Bavuca and Mondo South fields, tied back to the existing Kizomba B and Mondo Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels and is expected to recover around 190 million barrels of oil.

The project scope includes subsea wells, FPSO topside modifications and installation of flowlines and subsea equipment. The development is located approximately 150 kilometres off the coast of Angola in water depths of around 1350 metres.

Partners in Block 15 are BP (26.67%); ExxonMobil (operator, 40%); ENI (20%); Statoil (13.33%). Sonangol is the concessionaire.

About BP

Over the past 10 years, BP has invested more than $90 billion in the U.S. – more than any other energy company. BP is a leading producer of oil and gas and produces enough energy annually to light nearly the entire country for a year. Employing more than 18,000 people in all 50 states, BP supports nearly 200,000 additional jobs through all of its business activities.