Abstract

Yemen has been one of Nexen’s most significant International regions since first production began on the Masila Block in 1993. Nexen operates the country’s largest oil project and have developed excellent relationships with the government and local communities.

Masila Blend oil averages 31° API at very low gas-oil ratios, with production collected at Nexen’s Central Processing Facility where water is separated for re-injection and oil is pumped to the Ash Shihr export terminal and shipped to customers primarily in Asia.

Production peaked in 2004 at 240,000 bopd (gross). In 2005, through its 52% working interest in the Masila Block, Nexen produced 87,100 bopd (net) before royalties with significant value remaining until the end of the Production Sharing Agreement in 2011.

In this presentation, entitled “Beyond a Billion Barrels”, Ralph Johnson will give an overview of Nexen’s Masila facilities and operations in Yemen, as well as share some of his unique experiences during his 6 year rotation in Yemen.


Bio – Ralph Johnson, Nexen Inc.

Ralph Johnson has over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry in a variety of positions including maintenance, conventional oil operations, shallow gas operations, heavy oil operations, steam flood operations, facilities, and management. Over 20 years of his career has been in the Lloydminster and area, heavy oil industry.

For the past six years, Ralph has been working a 35 day rotation in Nexen’s Yemen Masila operations, filling such roles as Field Superintendent, Plant Superintendent, and Production Manager.

Most recently, Ralph Johnson has returned to Nexen’s Canadian Oil & Gas Division as Heavy Oil Operations Manager based out of Lloydminster.