BHP produces first oil from Ruby project

Oil and gas company BHP has produced first oil production from the Ruby project, which is located offshore Trinidad and Tobago.

Ruby is located offshore Trinidad and Tobago in the shallow water in Block 3(a) within the Greater Angostura field.

BHP approved $283 million (BHP share) in funding to develop the Ruby project back in August 2019. Total investment for this project is approximately $500 million (gross, 100 per cent basis).

Announcing the start-up of the project on Wednesday, BHP said that the development consists of both oil and gas production from the Ruby and Delaware reservoirs via five production wells and one gas injector well tied back into existing operated processing facilities.

At completion, Ruby is expected to have the capacity to produce up to 16,000 gross barrels of oil per day and 80 million gross standard cubic feet of natural gas per day.

BHP President Petroleum, Geraldine Slattery, said: “The start-up of Ruby represents continued development of BHP’s oil and gas production facilities in Trinidad and Tobago, re-enforces the quality of the resource and its investment competitiveness.

“An Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) seismic survey acquired by BHP and the Block 3(a) partners in 2018, was utilized to illuminate and optimally position the Ruby Project development wells. This marks a significant milestone for our Petroleum business and our future in Trinidad and Tobago”.

BHP also added that drilling and completions activities at Ruby are ongoing, with subsequent wells to be placed into production in the second and third quarter of 2021 and project completion expected in the third quarter of 2021.

BHP Country Manager of Trinidad and Tobago, Michael Stone, said: “Achieving first oil safely and ahead of schedule reflects the true tenacity of the Ruby project team together with our industry and Government partners who persevered to deliver this project amid a global pandemic”.

The Ruby development is a joint venture between BHP (operator; 68.46 per cent interest) and The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (31.54 per cent interest).