Anadarko, partners, start up fourth production train at Hassi Berkine

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and Sonatrach, the Algerian national oil company, said April 8 that the fourth oil production train has begun operation at the Hassi Berkine central processing facility in Algeria.

With the start-up of this train, capable of processing 75,000 barrels of oil per day from five satellite fields in Block 404, gross oil production capacity through the four-train central processing facility will increase to 285,000 barrels per day.

“Algeria represents Anadarko’s most significant international project to date and has become a substantial contributor to company-wide production and operating income,” said John Seitz, Anadarko president and chief executive officer. “With its near-term production growth and future exploration opportunities, Algeria has the potential to significantly enhance Anadarko’s reserve base and to build long-term shareholder value.

Production through the fourth train from the Block 404 satellite fields — RBK, QBN, HBNSE, BKNE and BKE — marks completion of the full development plan at the Hassi Berkine central processing facility, developed in stages to allow the flexibility of four trains to be brought on-stream at different times: Production from the first train began in May 1998, the second in August 2001 and the third in December 2001.

Anadarko has been operating in Algeria since 1990 and made its first discovery in 1993. The Hassi Berkine area is located in Block 404 of the Berkine Basin and includes the Hassi Berkine South, Hassi Berkine and satellite fields.