Abderdeen-based Xodus Group has won two contracts for conducting environmental and social impact assements (ESIA) for offshore blocks off the coast of Senegal
The ESIA contracts are for projects in the Rufisque Offshore, Sangomar Offshore and Sangomar Deep Offshore blocks for Capricorn Senegal Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cairn Energy, operator of the blocks. Xodus will also perform an ESIA for the Phase 1 development. This comprises a FPSO in the deepwater SNE oil field. This is located in the Sangomar Deep Offshore block for Woodside Energy.
The scope of the contracts is broad - as well as conducting ESIAs, Xodus' Technical Safety and Rosk division wll be conducting safety studies in conjunction with its environmental team. These studies are to ensure compliance with Senegalese law.
Capricorn has a 40 per cent working interest in the SNE project with partners Woodside (35 per cent), FAR Ltd (15 per cent) and Petrosen, the Senegalese NOC, holding a 10 per cent stake. The SNE well was one of the world's biggest oil discoveries in 2014. Next year, the transfer of operatorship to Woodside will take place with Cairn continuing its exploration activities in the acreage. In 2018, the joint venture partners plan to submit an evaluation report to the Senegalese government, with FEED scheduled to commence next year. FID is targeted for before the end of 2018.
