The Christopher Columbus Project (later named Mariscal Sucre Project. (1999)) was structured as a Joint Venture among Lagoven (a PDVSA Subsidiary), Shell, Exxon and Mitsubishi to develop about 13 TCF (GIIP) of stand alone gas in North Paria, Venezuela. The Rio Caribe field was integrated into this project at the end of 1992. The Rio Caribe, Mejillones, Patao and Dragon fields were visualized in multiple configurations to gather and extract gas and condensate (Rio Caribe) with approx. 50 wells.
Different shore crossings were also studied with regards to difficulty and environmental impact. All gas was destined for LNG export through the liquefaction plant in Guiria of 2 trains of 3.3 MTPA (Shell / Air Products C3MR). The offshore configuration, at the time, did not consider subsea wells at the deeper locations (Dragon. Abt 145 mwd). The gathering center was located at Mejillones where a compression platform would be installed and brought in-line at about 60% depletion.
Nexta's former staff was part of the integrated studies team of the project in development planning and upstream cost estimation activities. Caracas. Venezuela. (1993- 1996).