Petrofac Energy Developments is the operator and has a 45% interest in the field while its development partner, Entreprise Tunisienne D’Activities Petrolieres (ETAP), the Tunisian state oil company, holds the remaining 55%.
First commercial gas began flowing on August 8, 2008, and it is to be sold to Societe Tunisienne de L’Electricite et du Gaz (STEG), the Tunisian state gas and electricity company under the existing gas pricing formula. The total cost of the development is approximately $100 million.
The Chergui field central production facility is expected to initially handle 20 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd). Petrofac said that a 57km pipeline to shore will tie in to STEG’s facilities at Ain Turkia near Sfax on its main pipeline to Tunis.
Production plateau rates of 20mmscfd are expected for at least four years. Initial flow will be from two wells. Future potential gas development opportunities may extend the production plateau and the ultimate life of the field.
