The project seeks to improve the oil recovery factor to 23% from 13% by increasing the number of drainage points, in particular in the northern part of the field, and by enhancing well productivity using hydraulic fracturing and massive waterflood.

Anguille is located 20km offshore Port-Gentil, in a water depth of 30m in the Grand Anguille Marine concession. The concession is wholly owned by Total Gabon and governed by the Convention d’Etablissement, which was renewed in July 2007 for a further 25 years. Discovered in 1962, the field came on stream in 1966 and produced 7,500 barrels per day in 2007 prior to re-development.

Total Gabon said that Phase-1 of re-development is under way, leveraging existing facilities. Around a dozen wells will be drilled in 2007 and 2008, and the associated surface facilities will be de-bottlenecked.

From 2009 to 2011, Phase-2 entails installing new offshore infrastructure and decommissioning obsolete process units, building an onshore plant capable of power generation, fluid treatment and gas compression apart from drilling an additional 30 or more wells. The project will eliminate gas flaring on the field by 2011, as well as coastal discharges of production water.

Production is expected to increase from 2008, peaking at over 30,000 barrels per day in 2013-14. The development cost is an estimated $2 billion for additional proved and probable reserves of around 150 million barrels.