Eni has started production of first oil from the West Hub Development Project in Block 15/06 in the Angolan deep offshore, approximately 350 km (217 miles) northwest of Luanda and 130 km (81 miles) west of Soyo.

The field is currently producing 45,000 bbl/d of oil through the N’Goma FPSO vessel, with production ramp-up expected to reach a daily production of up to 100,000 bbl/d of oil in the coming months, Eni said in a press release. The startup of the East Hub Development, expected in 2017, will raise overall production from Block 15/06 to 200,000 bbl/d.

The development project started with a very successful exploration campaign. Having won the international bid round in 2006, in Block 15/06 Eni drilled 24 exploration and appraisal wells, discovering more than 3 Bbbl of oil in place and 850 MMbbl of reserves, according to the release. The discoveries were then developed quickly and efficiently, achieving an industry-leading time to market of only 3 years and 8 months from the declaration of commercial discovery thanks to the application of a new modular development model. Indeed, the West Hub Development entails the sequential startup of the Sangos, Cinguvu, Mpungi, Mpungi North Area, Vandumbu and Ochigufu fields.

Eni will also continue its exploration program in Block 15/06, with potential discoveries tied in quickly and cost efficiently. A recent example is the Ochigufu discovery, which added 300 MMbbl of oil in place and which will be tied in to the N’Goma FPSO vessel within the next two years.

The startup of the West Hub Development Project was celebrated in Luanda at a ceremony attended by the Angolan Minister of Petroleum, José Maria Botelho De Vasconcelos; Eni’s CEO, Claudio Desclazi; president of Sonangol, Francisco de Lemos José Maria; Angolan oil and gas industry representatives; and members of Eni’s management.

Eni is operator of Block 15/06 with a 35% stake, and Sonangol EP is the concessionaire. The other partners of the joint venture are Sonangol Pesquisa e Produção (35%), SSI Fifteen Ltd. (25%) and Falcon Oil Holding Angola SA (5%).

Angola is a key country in the strategy of organic growth of Eni, which has been present in the country since 1980 with a daily production in 2013 of 87 Mboe.