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Ca Voi Xanh project overview

Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam), EMEPVL and PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP) are parties to a PSC for blocks 117-119 offshore Vietnam.
Article Nov. 28, 2018

In this article

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Project overview

In 2011, the parties discovered a significant quantity of natural gas within block 118 offshore Vietnam, known as the Ca Voi Xanh field, or blue whale. The resource is large enough to provide power to a city the size of Hanoi for more than 20 years.

The development consists of an offshore platform, a pipeline to shore, an onshore gas treatment plant (GTP) and pipelines that supply gas for power generation for four power plants. Two plants are in Chu Lai co-located with the GTP, and two are in Quang Ngai about 11 kilometers south of the GTP.  Total power generation capacity is about 3 gigawatts.

Significant milestones of the Ca Voi Xanh project

2009

  • EMEPVL signed PSC with PetroVietnam for blocks 117-119 offshore Da Nang

2011

  • Ca Voi Xanh gas discovery made

2012-2015

  • Field appraisal and studies conducted; drilled two appraisal wells
  • Commercial discovery declared
  • Development area established

2016

  • Reserves Assessment Report approved
  • PSC scope of operations approved
  • Onshore facility locations approved
  • Outline Development Plan approved

2017

  • Executed Ca Voi Xanh Project Framework and Gas Sales Heads of Agreements
  • Signed Cooperation Agreement with Quang Nam People’s Committee in support of development
  • Project included in list of National Strategic Petroleum Projects
  • Executed project Coordination Agreement with all power investors

2018

  • Completed pre-Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) work
  • Issued FEED invitation to tender

Project benefits

The execution of the Ca Voi Xanh project has special meaning for Vietnam, providing secure and competitive energy to fuel the country’s economic growth. In particular, the project will have a transformational effect on the industrialization and socioeconomic development of Vietnam’s central provinces.

As the largest gas field in Vietnam, Ca Voi Xanh will bring the following benefits, among others:

  • Improved energy security from domestic gas development
  • About 20 percent lower cost of power compared to imported coal, taking into account significant government revenues which are not available from imported fuel
  • Up to 45 percent lower carbon-dioxide emissions compared to coal
  • Economic growth and job creation for central Vietnam
  • An experienced and reliable development partner from the United States

Welcome note

Greg M. Smith

President and Country Manager

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Vietnam Ltd. (EMEPVL)

The Ca Voi Xanh project is a transformational effort that brings investments in local communities and incremental power, driving economic growth and taking people to a better standard of living. Over the last 20 years in Quang Nam and Quang Ngai together, total foreign direct investment has been less than what will be invested for this one project. Together with our Upstream and Downstream partners PetroVietnam, PVEP, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Sembcorp, we’re proud to be a part of this dynamism in central Vietnam.

As a responsible corporate citizen, it is ExxonMobil’s practice to be active members of the communities where we have operations. One of our key focuses in community support is health care for children. Over the past nine years, we have made efforts that we hope will make a real difference in the health and lives of young children from rural communities. Our ultimate goal is to deliver long-term benefits to local communities and bring a brighter future for Vietnamese children, who will inherit and run the country.
Greg Smith

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