Eni acquires large portion of the Congolese activities operated by Maurel & Prom, a French upstream company. The transaction includes all Maurel & Prom interests in the producing fields of M’Boundi (48.6%) and Kouakouala A (66%), the production concession of Kouakouala B, C, D (50%) as well as most of the interests in the Kouilou (50%) exploration permit. All assets are located onshore in Congo.
The agreed price for the transaction is US $ 1,434 million, which includes the exploration asset for US $ 80 million.
The net equity production of the M’Boundi field is expected to be 17,000 bopd in 2007 and to grow to approximately 28,000 bopd in 2010, with an average increase of 18% per year in the 2007/2010 period, as a result of the implementation of a water injection program.
This giant field holds 1.4 billion boe of volume of original oil in place and produces a high quality oil (39 °API).
Through this acquisition, Eni’s entitlement production in Congo will increase from the 67,000 bpd recorded in 2006 to about 100,000 bpd in 2010 and the 2P equity reserves will increase by 126 million boe ($ 10.7 per barrel).
The deal is consistent with Eni’s strategy of acquiring hydrocarbons reserves and production in legacy countries where it plays an important role as operator and where it can add value by applying its core competencies.
The transaction is subject to the partners’ waiver of their pre-emption right on the M’Boundi Field and to the approval by the Congolese authorities.
