Chevron begins production at Angolan oil field

Chevron has begun production ahead of schedule at its Mafumeira Norte project offshore Angola, with a maximum total output of 30,000 barrels of oil a day expected by 2011.

US-based energy giant Chevron has announced the first flow of oil from the Mafumeira Norte project located offshore Angola.

The company said its joint venture has begun production ahead of schedule at the site, which is located about 15 miles off the Angolan coastline.

It represents the first phase of development of the Mafumeira Field, which is expected to provide a maximum total production capacity of up to 30,000 barrels of oil and 30 million cubic feet a day of natural gas by 2011.

Ali Moshiri, president of Chevron Africa and Latin America exploration and production, said: "Production from Mafumeira Norte is an exciting milestone for Chevron and its partners in terms of bringing new energy supplies onto the world market and providing benefits to Angola."

Chevron owns a 39.2 per cent interest in the Mafumeira project, while Angolan oil company Sonangpol owns 41 per cent and Total and ENI own ten per cent and 9.8 per cent respectively.

The company last month announced that it had also commenced production from Frade Field, which is its first major upstream development in Brazil and is expected to yield 90,000 barrels of crude oil a day in 2011.