VAALCO Energy, Inc. has completed two workovers at the Etame field offshore Gabon and added a total of approximately 1050 gross bpd (540 net bpd to VAALCO).

VAALCO’s mobile hydraulic workover unit, which was purchased in early 2021, was rapidly mobilised and replaced electrical submersible pump (ESP) units cheaper and more efficiently compared to using a drilling rig.

The workover of the EEBOM-2H well was completed to replace and upgrade the longest producing ESP unit at Etame, which increased production from about 500 gross bpd (255 bpd net) prior to the workover to approximately 1400 gross bpd (715 bpd net) in mid-October.

At the ET-12H well, both upper and lower ESP units were replaced and the ESP design was reconfigured. Production was restored to 1800 gross bpd (920 bpd net) in late-October, an increase of approximately 150 gross bpd (80 bpd net) compared to the average rate prior to the workover.

George Maxwell, VAALCO’s CEO, commented: “We are pleased with the results from these workovers, in particular, the 1,050 gross BOPD of additional production. We purchased the mobile hydraulic workover unit earlier this year to allow us to quickly and efficiently react to ESP failures and to proactively prevent ESP failures as we deemed necessary. This allows us to maximize production and even incrementally increase production, which is particularly attractive in the current price environment. We will continue to efficiently operate at Etame which generates strong cash flow to fund our accretive strategic initiatives.”