ExxonMobil begins deepwater Block 15 production off Angola   
Oil and Gas Journal

HOUSTON, Dec. 9 -- ExxonMobil Corp. subsidiary, Esso Exploration 
Angola (Block 15) Ltd., has initiated production from Xikomba deepwater 
field in deepwater Block 15 off Angola. Xikomba, the company's first 
producing field from the block, represents the first of several anticipated 
operated production facilities off Angola. 

Xikomba, discovered in 1999, has estimated reserves of 100 million bbl of 
oil, and Esso is targeting production of 80,000 b/d (OGJ Online, Aug. 6, 
2003). 

Located in the northwest corner of the block, about 370 km northwest of 
Luanda in water as deep as 1,480 m, Xikomba is producing via an early 
production system (EPS) consisting of nine subsea wells tied back to a 
floating production, storage, and offloading vessel. Xikomba represents 
the third use of ExxonMobil's EPS technology off West Africa and its first 
deployment off Angola. 
The Xikomba EPS will accelerate production from Xikomba field while 
permanent facilities for the much larger Kizomba A project are being 
completed. 

Contracts and subcontracts have been awarded to Angolan companies to 
provide in-country fabrication, logistics support, and training, development, 
and employment of Angolan nationals. These contracts develop expertise 
to support future oil and gas developments in the area. 

ExxonMobil previously had announced two world-class deepwater 
developments on Block 15 that incorporate its "design one-build two" 
approach, which provides significant time and cost savings. Kizomba A 
and Kizomba B, both $3.4 billion developments, together have estimated 
reserves of 2 billion bbl of oil and a combined target production of 500,000 
b/d of oil. First oil from Kizomba A is scheduled for 2004; Kizomba B first 
oil is expected in early 2006. 

ExxonMobil and partners have had 35 discoveries in Angola on Blocks 15, 
17, 31, and 32, adding to the company's resources in Angola, which now 
are estimated at more than 10.5 billion boe (gross). 

Esso, with a 40% interest, is operator of Block 15. Partners are BP 
Exploration (Angola) Ltd. 26.67%, Agip Angola Exploration BV 20%, and 
Statoil Angola 13.33 %. Sonangol is concessionaire.