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Introduction
The interest of FIAT in hydrocarbon
exploration is characterized by various phases and dates from 1957, when
the law for onshore oil & gas exploration in Italy was promulgated.
The first phase of activity was carried out mainly abroad and ended at the
beginning of the ‘60's, when FIAT took part in a consortium with SNIA,
MONTECATINI and French PREPA for the drilling of two wells in the Algerian
Sahara.
With the promulgation in Italy of the law for offshore oil and gas
exploration a second phase of activity was undertaken during the period
1968-78, and was characterized by the participation in a Joint Venture
with Gulf for exploration activity in offshore Sicily.
From 1979 to 1989 a third phase was characterized by a different approach
to hydrocarbon exploration: FIAT RIMI, whose management was entrusted to
IMPRESIT, acquired participation in concessions for the development of
mature hydrocarbon reserves with the aim of feeding, at least partially,
the energy supply demand of the FIAT GROUP.
The commercialization, which began in 1982 with the coming on stream of
the Reggente field, allowed both a consolidation and enlargement of its
mining portfolio by participating in Joint Ventures with the main
operators in Italy, in particular AGIP and its affiliates.
In 1989, by purchasing the mining share of SNIA BDP, FIAT RIMI acquired an
operating structure and became an operator in Italy.
In fact, SNIA BPD had worked in Italy as an operator since 1955 and had
discovered some important fields, among them PALINO-CANDELA, which is the
biggest onshore gas field in Italy.
This field, after the drilling of 49 wells and the construction of a
treatment plant and two oil centers, was sold to AGIP in 1971.
Other important fields discovered by SNIA are Montestillo, Carapelle,
Serra del Riposo, Faragola, Torrente Vulgano e Torrente Saccione - Mannara,
all sold to AGIP or MONTEDISON.
Up to the sale date, SNIA activity, which recorded the drilling of 288
wells, was purely targeted to exploration.
From 1989 to date, FIAT RIMI has continued consolidating its portfolio
while increasing the gas supply for the FIAT Groups internal demand.
FIAT RIMI today
FIAT RIMI is presently owner of 36
exploration concessions and 26 development concessions in Italy, and
controls a total mining acreage of 1,050,000 hectares.
In particular, FIAT RIMI is operator in
12 exploration and 15 development concessions, taking part in Joint
Ventures with the main operators in Italy. Among these Joint Ventures,
there is the AC 19 (Aida) concession, which plays an important role in the
Alto Adriatic Project, as well as some exploration projects in the
Southern Appenines which is one of the more promising areas in Italy from
an exploration viewpoint.
FIAT RIMI has its headquarters in Milan
and its Operating Office in Foggia, where drilling activity, the running
of two treatment plants and gas field production are managed. Furthermore,
FIAT RIMI holds shares in 3 gas treatment plants run by other companies.
Today, the gas production of FIAT RIMI, steadily growing since 1989, is
about 65 million m3 per year. |
