Rockhopper commences gas production from Italy’s Civita field

UK-based Rockhopper Exploration has commenced first gas production from the Civita gas field located onshore Italy in the Abruzzo Region.

Located within the Aglavizza production concession, the Civita gas field is operated by Rockhopper with a 100% working interest.

According to the company, the field is planned to be commissioned at a rate of 12,500 standard cubic metres (scm) a day prior to increasing it to increased flow rate of about 25,000scm per day by the end of November.

Rockhopper expects net production from Italy to average more than 100,000scm per day in 2016 when combined with its share of production from the offshore Guendalina gas field.

The company expects revenue from Guendalina and Civita to be about $9m in 2016 based on existing gas prices and exchange rates.

Rockhopper Exploration CEO Sam Moody said: "Civita is the first operated field development undertaken by Rockhopper. It has been completed on time and on budget and represents a great technical and management achievement for the company.

"First gas from Civita, coupled with the recent drilling success at Guendalina, reinforces the benefit of our Mediterranean portfolio to our wider business, as well as its highly valuable contribution to our financial position."

Civita onshore gas development project was sanctioned in December 2014.