France’s Total said Wednesday that it has started production at the Incahuasi gas and condensate field in Bolivia.
The field is Total’s first operated development in Bolivia and has a production capacity of 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
The Incahuasi field lies at more than three and a half miles beneath the Andean foothills and is located in the Aquio and Ipati blocks, about 155 miles from the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
The first phase of the field development includes three wells, a gas treatment plant and 62 miles of associated export pipelines.
According to the company’s website, Incahuasi’s three wells and treatment plant will enable the company to produce 6.5 million cubic meters of gas and nearly 6,000 barrels of condensate per day.
The second phase of development will include three further wells and “is currently under consideration,” Total said.
President of Total Exploration & Production Arnaud Breuillac said the project was delivered within budget and is Total’s fourth start-up this year.
“Incahuasi is one of the largest gas and condensate fields brought on stream in Bolivia. Incahuasi’s production will contribute to Bolivia’s gas exports to Argentina and Brazil as well as domestic consumption,” Breuillac said.
The development is operated by Total with a 50 percent stake.
Russia’s Gazprom holds a 20 percent stake, Tecpetrol holds a 20 percent stake and YPFB Chaco holds a 10 percent stake.
Total had equity production of 28,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in Bolivia last year, with gas accounting for most of the production.
In addition to the Incahuasi field, Total is a partner on the San Antonio, San Alberto and XX-Tarija Oeste (Itaú) production licenses.
Total also operates the 3,000 square mile Azero exploration license in the Andean foothills.
