Condensate analysis results
April 15, 2012
Additional analyses have been carried out both on condensate samples taken from the G4 well annulus before the leak took place on 25 March and on samples of sheen collected at sea. The results lead to the following conclusions:
- The condensate is a light condensate with the same characteristics as Hod formation condensate - Molecular indicators show a correlation between the sheen sampled at sea and this light condensate
- The condensate is a very paraffinic fluid. As soon as it is released from the well head, a soft waxy deposit is formed on the cooler surfaces of the wellhead platform
- Once released into the sea, up to 50% of the condensate evaporates within 24 hours. The maximum evaporation rate in the following days is estimated at 90%.
The remaining fraction that has not evaporated is gradually dispersed by the agitation of the sea and eliminated by biodegradation.