Houston-based Vaalco Energy restarted production at the Avouma 2-H well on the Avouma platform, offshore Gabon, after utilizing a hydraulic workover unit to replace a failed electric submersible pump (ESP) system, Offshore Engineer reported.

According to the company, the well is currently producing at a rate of 2,700b/d of oil gross, 730b/d of which goes to Vaalco, informed Offshore Energy Today. With the two recent workover wells online, total company net production is averaging 4,600b/d.

The ESP systems failed in both the South Tchibala 2-H and the Avouma 2-H wells on the Avouma platform. In late December, Vaalco put its South Tchibala 2-H well back online, by also using a hydraulic workover unit to replace a failed ESP system.

All personnel and equipment utilized during the combined operations on the two wells have been demobilized. The detailed inspection of the failed ESP components continues and it is expected that the cause of the failures will be determined during Q1 2017. Vaalco stated that monitoring of ESP operation and production optimization procedures continues for both wells.