Ophir Mulls LNG Plant for Equa G

Ophir Energy Plc is studying plans to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Equatorial Guinea after its drilling campaign on Block R has found enough natural gas to support it.  The company has made seven gas discoveries, totaling about 7 Tcf of reserves, according to Ophir CEO Nick Cooper speaking to investors in London.

The company plans to build a 140-km pipeline to bring the fuel to Punta Europa on Bioko Island where its plant will be located. The plant will have a 3.7 million metric ton per year capacity. 

“The company is now targeting a full train of LNG exports with support from the government for a fast track development,” Ophir said in a statement.

Ophir expects to make a final decision on the EGLNG-R plant in 2014 with first gas exported as soon as 2017, Cooper said.

Currently Equatorial Guinea has a one train LNG plant, Equatorial LNG, which is led by US independent Marathon Oil. The partners in this facility are currently looking at plans to double the output by constructing a second train.