Thunder Horse, considered the world’s largest semisubmersible platform, has begun production in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM) from a single well and is on track to be fully commissioned before the end of 2008 following a three-year delay. The platform is jointly owned by BP plc, with a 75% stake, and ExxonMobil Corp., which holds 25%. Located 150 miles southeast of New Orleans on Mississippi Canyon Blocks 778 and 822, Thunder Horse is expected to be the largest oil and gas producer in the GOM once it begins full production. At full capacity, Thunder Horse would increase overall U.S. oil and gas output by 3.6%. Thunder Horse was to begin operations in 2005 and produce up to 250,000 b/d of oil and 200 MMcf/d of natural gas. However, the BP-operated facility has suffered from a series of natural and man-made delays. After Hurricane Dennis struck the platform in 2005, the platform was found listing 20 degrees, and BP said then it was unlikely that commercial production would begin before the end of 2005 (see NGI, Aug. 1, 2005). Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, also in 2005, the Thunder Horse ramp-up timetable was again revised; production was set to begin by mid-2006 (see NGI, Dec. 5, 2005). A year later BP said it would “retrieve and rebuild” all of the seabed production equipment from the Thunder Horse field, and the start-up was pushed to this year (see NGI, Sept. 25, 2006).
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Commissioning Under Way on Deepwater Thunder Horse
Thunder Horse, considered the world’s largest semisubmersible platform, has begun production in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM) from a single well and is on track to be fully commissioned before the end of 2008 following a three-year delay.
Devon Readies to Capitalize on More Deepwater Prospects
Devon Energy Corp. has signed another long-term contract for a second semisubmersible drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), signaling its intentions to capitalize on potential resource prospects in the deepwater.
Devon Readies to Capitalize on Deepwater Prospects with Rig Contracts
Devon Energy Corp. has signed another long-term contract for a second semisubmersible drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), signaling its intentions to capitalize on its potential, resource prospects.
Industry Brief
Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. said Tuesday that its semisubmersible Ocean Lexington drilling unit, which parted its moorings during Hurricane Lili last week, has been towed back to its original, pre-storm location and is preparing to recommence operations. The company said that a top-side inspection and an underwater examination of the lower hulls has determined that the rig is undamaged. The company reported late last week that Lili detached Ocean Lexington from its moorings and blew the drilling rig 45 miles before it grounded in 35 feet of water offshore Louisiana (see Daily GPI, Oct. 7).