The Usan FPSO vessel has a storage capacity of up to two million barrels of oil.
Usan and Beyond
Nexen has a 20% working interest in Usan and is developing the oil field along with Total E&P Nigeria Limited (the operating partner), Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Upstream) Limited and Chevron Nigeria Deepwater Limited. The Usan FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading unit) has a capacity to handle 180,000 barrels of oil per day (bbls/d). Of that capacity, 36,000 bbls/d is net to Nexen. Production at Usan averaged 16,100 bbls/d net to Nexen in 2012.
Nexen has a strong inventory of follow-up prospects to Usan, some of which can potentially be tied back into the original Usan project infrastructure. In 2013, Nexen plans to continue to participate in a full development, appraisal and exploration drilling campaign on our Nigerian acreage.
Economic Benefits
The Usan project has won awards for its increasing engagement of local businesses, goods and services. The project benefits from the proximity of local suppliers and working with people who know the local culture, community and environment the best. Communities, in turn, benefit from direct and indirect employment and diversification of the local economy. In addition to capital investments, we have the opportunity to transfer technological and business knowledge to people and organizations in Nigeria.