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Corpus Christi, TX – Analysis: From Big Foot to Bluto, Gulf of Mexico set for record oil supply surge
(Reuters) – The Gulf of Mexico, stung by the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history in 2010 and then overshadowed by the onshore fracking boom, is on the verge of its biggest supply surge ever, adding to the American oil renaissance.
Over the next three years, the Gulf is poised to deliver a slug of more than 700,000 barrels per day of new crude, reversing a decline in production and potentially rivaling shale hot spots like Texas’s Eagle Ford formation in terms of growth.
The revival began this summer, when Royal Dutch Shell‘s (RDSa.L) 100,000 barrels per day Olympus platform was towed out to sea 130 miles south of New Orleans – the first of seven new ultra-modern systems starting up through 2016. It weighs 120,000 tons, more than 200 Boeing 777 jumbo jets.
The Gulf Of Mexico’s growth will bolster the United States’ emerging role as the world’s top oil and gas producer, a trend led by advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling that unlock hydrocarbons from tight rock reservoirs in places like North Dakota’s Bakken and the Permian of West Texas.
Rising domestic production and the start of natural gas exports may transform the economy and realign geopolitics as U.S. reliance on foreign oil declines.
The resurgence in the Gulf is occurring even though the U.S. government imposed stringent safety and environmental rules after BP Plc‘s (BP.L) Macondo spill. Foreign countries from Brazil to Angola have also aggressively courted Big Oil to invest in developing their offshore fields. And the shale boom has diverted billions of dollars in capital onshore.
The deepwater Gulf, considered the most technically challenging offshore oil patch, remains alluring even as other areas struggle. Brazil attracted only a single bid this month for its once-touted Libra field, yet global companies still compete fiercely for the right to drill in the Gulf.
“A barrel of discovered oil in the Gulf of Mexico is difficult to beat for value anywhere else, even with the increased costs of doing business,” said Jez Averty, senior vice president of North American exploration at Norway’s Statoil (STL.OL).
Huge finds over the last decade – in what engineers call “elephant fields” that can produce for 25 years or more – are lifting growth in a basin some companies once abandoned, fearing it was drying up or its resources were beyond reach.
“This is still one of the premier oil and gas regions in the world and that’s why we’ve never left,” said Steve Thurston, vice president of Chevron Corp‘s (CVX.N) North American exploration and production division.
Even after decades of production in the Gulf, government estimates have shown that 48 billion barrels could still be recovered.
LOWER TERTIARY
The area of the Gulf of Mexico where most of the new infrastructure will start up is in an ancient geological trend in its deepest waters 200 miles or more from shore known as the Lower Tertiary, estimated to hold 15 billion barrels of crude.
Appraisals in the Gulf’s Lower Tertiary have shown fields that could have half a billion barrels or more of oil, like Exxon Mobil Corp’s (XOM.N) Hadrian, estimated to hold up to 700 million barrels, or Anadarko Petroleum Corp‘s (APC.N) Shenandoah, which tests this year showed could hold up to three times more than initial estimates of 300 million barrels.
The potential bounty of massive deposits that can produce for a quarter century or more is what keeps players coming even though a single well that bores tens of thousands of feet through thick salt and rock to strike oil – or a dry hole – can cost $130 million or more.
By contrast, an onshore well costs about $8 million to drill – but may only produce a trickle of oil for a few years.
Chevron’s Jack/St. Malo project, which will tie a platform to the ocean floor 7,000 feet below the surface and tap a reservoir 26,000 feet deep, costs $7.5 billion.
It may become the biggest such platform in the world after shipping out later this year, with the ability to double its initial 170,000 bpd capacity. It will be followed next year by Chevron’s second new platform, Big Foot, to be secured to the sea floor by 16 miles of interlocking metal strands, or tendons.
In addition to projects by Anadarko Petroleum Corp (APC.N) and Williams Cos (WMB.N), private equity firm Blackstone Energy Partners will join the game. In 2015, Blackstone’s partner LLOG Exploration aims to start up Delta House – named for the boisterous fraternity in the film “Animal House” – less than 10 miles from BP’s plugged Macondo well.
Delta House will pump oil from the Marmalard and Bluto fields, namesakes of characters in the movie.
CLEAR AND STABLE RULES
Three years ago, some analysts thought the post-Macondo Gulf would have fewer players as stricter regulations and higher operating chilled activity, particularly for smaller companies.
Producers must now provide more detailed plans for offshore operations, submit to more frequent inspections and prove they have access to a rapid-response system to cap a gushing well. More than 4 million barrels of oil poured into the sea for 87 days after the Macondo well blowout killed 11 men.
High costs have given some companies pause. Even as BP began appraisal drilling at its self-described “giant” Tiber field this August, a month later it canceled contracts to build a second platform at its Mad Dog field. BP says it wants to move forward on Mad Dog 2 “with the right plan.”
Many others are pressing ahead full steam.
“It hasn’t scared us away,” John Hollowell, Shell’s top deepwater executive for Shell Upstream Americas said, noting deepwater is one-third of Shell’s growth platform, alongside natural gas and unconventional areas like onshore shales.
Hess Corp (HES.N) Chief Executive John Hess has told analysts the company, which operates one oil and gas platform in the Gulf with another on the way next year, also aims to increase its exploration in the deep waters.
“It’s a core area for us and now that Macondo is behind the industry, it is an area where we intend to start investing more, assuming we get the returns that we expect,” he said.
Companies say the Gulf is still the best deepwater basin to set up shop – with high profit margins, reasonable per-barrel costs and a predictable legal and regulatory system.
Operators can bring in their own workers rather than employ a certain number from the host country, as they do in Brazil – where just finding enough qualified workers is a hurdle.
Gulf operators also do not have to brace themselves for sudden changes in royalty requirements or possibly be blocked from bidding on drilling rights, as has happened in Angola.
To get in the Gulf of Mexico’s door, they put in the highest bid when the government leases drilling rights.
“All you have to do is show up at the lease sale,” Statoil’s Averty said.
(Editing by Eric Walsh)
Rowan Secures Contract for “Rowan Resolute” Drillship. Sells “Rowan Paris” Rig
The U.S. based drilling contractor Rowan Companies has entered into a three-year contract with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation.
The drillship is expected to be delivered at the end of the second quarter 2014 and operate in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico starting in the late third quarter 2014. The Rowan Resolute is one of four ultra-deepwater drillships being constructed for Rowan by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (“HHI”) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea.
With the award of this contract for the Rowan Resolute, two of the Company’s four ultra-deepwater drillships under construction at HHI are now under contract. The remaining two uncontracted drillships are scheduled to be delivered from the shipyard at the end of October 2014 and March 2015.
Rowan, in its fleet status report, said that the day rate for the contract is in the high $600.000s.
Rig contract in Indonesia
Also, the company has informed it has secured a 170 day contract with Pertamina Hulu Energi for Gorilla II rig in Indonesia at a day rate in the high $160s (above previous day rate in the mid $130s) expected to commence operation in September 2013.
Further in the report for June 2013, Rowan said it has sold the Rowan Paris rig for $40 million in June 2013.
Offshore Energy Today Staff, June 20, 2013
Anadarko Finds High Quality Oil in Gulf of Mexico
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: APC) today announced its Phobos-1 well in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico encountered approximately 250 net feet of high-quality oil pay in Lower Tertiary-aged reservoirs.
“Our 2013 Gulf of Mexico exploration program is off to an outstanding start, as Phobos marks our third significant deepwater success this year,” Anadarko Sr. Vice President International and Deepwater Exploration Bob Daniels said. “Phobos is our first well in the previously untested Sigsbee Escarpment area of the Gulf of Mexico and successfully tested a significant four-way structure in the Lower Tertiary. Phobos’ close proximity to our Lucius project is expected to further enhance the economics of this potential future development.”
The Phobos discovery, located in Sigsbee Escarpment block 39, was drilled to a total depth of 28,675 feet in approximately 8,500 feet of water, approximately 11 miles south of Anadarko’s Lucius discovery, which is under development. Anadarko currently is incorporating the data from the Phobos well to determine future activities.
Anadarko is the operator of the Phobos discovery with a 30-percent working interest. Other co-owners in Phobos are Plains Exploration & Production Company with a 50-percent working interest and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) with a 20-percent working interest.
Chevron Strikes Oil at Coronado Prospect in U.S. Gulf of Mexico
Chevron Corporation has announced an oil discovery at the Coronado prospect in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
The Walker Ridge Block 98 Well No. 1 encountered more than 400 feet (122 m) of net pay. The well is located approximately 190 miles (308 km) off the Louisiana coast in 6,127 feet (1,868 m) of water and was drilled to a depth of 31,866 feet (9,713 m).
“The Coronado discovery demonstrates how Chevron is achieving its strategy of superior exploration performance,” said George Kirkland, vice chairman, Chevron Corporation. “The discovery adds to our global portfolio of high-quality opportunities for future growth.”
“The Coronado discovery continues our string of exploration successes in the Lower Tertiary Trend, where Chevron is advancing multiple projects,” said Gary Luquette, president, Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company. “It also highlights the importance of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico as a source of domestic energy for the United States.”
The well results are still being evaluated, and additional work is needed to determine the extent of the resource. Chevron, with a 40 percent working interest in the prospect, is the operator of the Coronado discovery well. Other owners are ConocoPhillips with 35 percent, a subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation with 15 percent and Venari Offshore LLC with 10 percent.
Chevron is one of the largest leaseholders in the Gulf of Mexico and is currently constructing the Jack/St. Malo and Big Foot projects, which are scheduled to begin production in 2014.The company is also conducting appraisal activities at its previously announced Buckskin and Moccasin discoveries, also in the Lower Tertiary Trend.
Chevron Strikes Oil at Coronado Prospect in U.S. Gulf of Mexico| Offshore Energy Today.
Cobalt Reports ‘Exceptional’ Results from Its Gulf of Mexico Wells
Cobalt International Energy, Inc. on Tuesday announced extraordinary results from its Shenandoah #2R appraisal well, located in Walker Ridge Block 51, and provided an update on its North Platte #1 exploratory well, located in Garden Banks 959, both located in the Inboard Lower Tertiary Trend, deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
At Shenandoah, the well’s operator announced today that the Shenandoah #2R appraisal well encountered more than 1,000 net feet of oil pay in multiple high quality Lower Tertiary-aged reservoirs. Log and pressure data from both the Shenandoah appraisal well and the 2009 Shenandoah discovery well indicate the presence of exceptionally high quality reservoirs and hydrocarbons.
The appraisal well was drilled as a straight hole to a total depth of 31,405 feet in approximately 5,800 feet of water, about 1.3 miles southwest and approximately 1,700 feet structurally down-dip from the Shenandoah #1 discovery well, in order to test the down-dip extent of the Shenandoah field. Well results indicate that the targeted sands were full to base with no evidence of oil-water contacts. The Shenandoah #1 discovery well was drilled in early 2009 on Walker Ridge Block 52 and encountered more than 300 net feet of Inboard Lower Tertiary oil pay.
North Platte #1
Cobalt, as operator, provided an update confirming that the North Platte #1 exploratory well encountered over 550 net feet of oil pay in multiple high quality Inboard Lower Tertiary reservoirs. This compares to DeGolyer and MacNaughton’s pre-drill estimate for net pay of 350 feet. North Platte is located in approximately 4,400 feet of water and was drilled to a total depth of approximately 34,500 feet. Cobalt completed a bypass coring operation on North Platte #1 and has since temporarily abandoned the discovery well. In addition, Cobalt has begun the acquisition of a new state-of-the-art 3D seismic survey over the greater North Platte field and the majority of its prospects in the immediate area. Evaluation of this data will be ongoing throughout 2013. Appraisal plans for North Platte will be determined later in the year, as well.
Cobalt is currently drilling its Ardennes #1 exploratory well in Green Canyon 896. Ardennes is targeting both Miocene and Inboard Lower Tertiary reservoirs. Results are expected sometime mid-year 2013. DeGolyer and MacNaughton estimates Ardennes to have potential resources greater than 500 million barrels gross oil equivalent.
“The exceptional results of both the Shenandoah #2R appraisal well and the North Platte #1 exploratory well further substantiate our regional model of the prolific potential of the Inboard Lower Tertiary Trend,” said Joseph H. Bryant, Cobalt’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that our material working interests in these two significant Inboard Lower Tertiary fields will be the source of tremendous value for our shareholders. Our deep portfolio of prospects on trend with these two fields bodes well for our future growth in the Gulf of Mexico. These recent results and our bright future are a testament to our commitment to the people and technology required to succeed in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico subsalt trends.”
Cobalt is the operator and holds a 60 percent working interest in North Platte. TOTAL E&P USA, INC. is Cobalt’s partner in North Platte with a 40 percent working interest. Cobalt is the operator and holds a 42 percent working interest in Ardennes. Partners in Ardennes include ConocoPhillips (30 percent working interest) and TOTAL E&P USA, INC. (28 percent working interest). In Shenandoah, Cobalt holds a 20 percent working interest. Partners in Shenandoah include Anadarko Petroleum Corporation , as operator (30 percent working interest), ConocoPhillips (30 percent working interest), Venari Resources LLC (10 percent working interest) and Marathon Oil Company (10 percent working interest).
Cobalt Reports ‘Exceptional’ Results from Its Gulf of Mexico Wells| Offshore Energy Today.
Anadarko Orders Spar Hull from Technip for Heidelberg Field (USA)
Technip received instructions from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation to begin the engineering, construction and transport of a 23,000-ton Truss Spar hull for their Heidelberg field development. This field is located in the US Gulf of Mexico, at a water depth of 1,620 meters (5,310 feet).
The Letter of Intent allows Technip to begin construction work on the project and other early works including purchase of long-lead items for the hull and start of fabrication, in advance of the expected project sanctioning around mid-2013, after which it will enter into Technip’s backlog.
The Heidelberg Spar will have a capacity of more than 80,000 barrels of oil and 2.3 million cubic meters of natural gas per day.
Technip’s operating center in Houston, Texas will provide the overall project management and engineering. The detailed hull design and fabrication will be carried out by Technip’s construction yard in Pori, Finland where most of Technip’s Spar projects have been manufactured.
David Dickson, Technip’s Senior Vice President, North America Region, has declared: “Technip is really proud to have received this Letter of Intent. Not only does it strengthen our long-lasting relationship with Anadarko but it also confirms its continuous trust in the Group’s extensive know-how and expertise in Spar technology. After Lucius, awarded last year and currently being built in our yard in Pori, Heidelberg will be the 8th Spar delivered by Technip to Anadarko.”
The Heidelberg Spar will be the 17th delivered by Technip (out of 20 worldwide) and thus demonstrates the Group’s leadership for this kind of floating platform and ability to tackle ultra-deepwater developments. It also confirms Pori’s track record expertise and great capabilities to deliver state-of-the-art platforms.
Anadarko Orders Spar Hull from Technip for Heidelberg Field (USA)| Offshore Energy Today.
Enbridge to Build Crude Oil Pipeline in US GoM
Enbridge Inc., announced that it will build, own and operate a crude oil pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico to connect the proposed Heidelberg development, operated by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, to an existing third-party pipeline system.
The lateral pipeline is expected to be operational by 2016. Construction of the pipeline is subject to finalization of definitive agreements and sanction of the development by Anadarko and its project co-owners.
The Heidelberg lateral will originate in Green Canyon Block 860, approximately 200 miles southwest of New Orleans and in 5300 feet of water. The pipeline will be 20 inches in diameter and approximately 34 miles in length.
“We are pleased to be working with Anadarko and the Heidelberg producers,” said Leon Zupan, President, Gas Pipelines. “The Heidelberg lateral pipeline is an attractive investment opportunity for Enbridge. It also furthers our objective of diversifying our offshore business to include facilities that support the substantial crude oil discoveries in the deepwater of the US Gulf Coast.”
Enbridge’s offshore pipelines transport approximately 40 per cent of the natural gas produced in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The company’s offshore assets include interests in 13 natural gas gathering and transmission pipelines and one crude oil pipeline in five major pipeline corridors off the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi.
Subsea World News – Enbridge to Build Crude Oil Pipeline in US GoM.
- Enbridge to build crude oil pipeline in Gulf of Mexico (transportationandstorage.energy-business-review.com)
- Enbridge not threatened by rival’s eastern oil pipeline (cbc.ca)
Worldwide Field Development News Aug 10 – Aug 16, 2012
This week the SubseaIQ team added 4 new projects and updated 29 projects. You can see all the updates made over any time period via the Project Update History search. The latest offshore field develoment news and activities are listed below for your convenience.
N. America – US GOM
Teikoku Oil Acquires Lucius Stake
Aug 15, 2012 – Inpex Corporation announced that through its subsidiary, Teikoku Oil, it has agreed to acquire a 7.2 percent participating interest in the Lucius project which includes portions of Keathley Canyon blocks 874, 875, 918 and 919 in the deepwater of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, from a subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. After the joint venture agreement is finalized, the Lucius project will continue to be operated by Anadarko with a 27.8% participating interest, with the following companies participating: Plains (23.331%), Exxon Mobil (15%), Apache (11.669%), Petrobras (9.6%), Inpex (7.2 %) and Eni (5.4%). Anadarko and co-ventures made a Final Investment Decision (FID) to develop this project in December 2011, and the first production of crude oil and natural gas is expected to start in the latter half of 2014. Crude oil and natural gas pumped from the Lucius project will be processed with a truss spar floating facility with the capacity to produce in excess of 80,000 bopd and 450 MMcf/d. Processed crude oil and natural gas will then be exported to onshore facilities in Louisiana via a subsea pipeline.
Project Details: Lucius
Newfield to Explore Dalmatian South in GOM
Aug 13, 2012 – Murphy Oil announced plans to drill two to four exploration wells in 2012 and 2013 in DeSoto Canyon Block 134 in the Gulf of Mexico. The company is targeting various Miocene prospects, including the Dalmatian South prospect, which is very similar to their 2010 Dalmatian North discovery. Furthermore, Murphy has received official sanction of a three-well subsea tie-back of the Dalmatian field to the Petronius compliant tower production platform.
Project Details: Dalmatian South
BMT to Supply EFMS for Big Foot TLP
Aug 10, 2012 – Chevron has awarded a contract to BMT Scientific Marine Services to provide an Environmental and Facilities Monitoring System (EFMS) for the Chevron-operated Big Foot tension leg platform (TLP) in the Gulf of Mexico. The EFMS monitors, logs and displays data in real-time on the local environment and facility motions. It archives the data for assessing the TLP’s integrity over time and interfaces with the facility’s other platform control systems. Big Foot is currently under development and is expected to commence production in 2014.
Project Details: Big Foot
Australia
3D Oil to Explore Sea Lion Prospect Offshore Australia
Aug 15, 2012 – 3D Oil Limited announced plans to explore its Sea Lion prospect in permit area VIC/P57 offshore Australia. The prospect has prospective resources of 20.7 million barrels of oil in the same reservoir units as West Seahorse.
Project Details: Sea Lion (3D Oil)
3D Oil Moves Forward with West Seahorse Development
Aug 15, 2012 – 3D Oil has agreed to a $28 million farm-in deal with Hibiscus Petroleum to allow the progression of the West Seahorse development in permit VIC/P57, offshore Victoria. The agreement is subject to approval from Hibiscus’ shareholders and the Foreign Investment Review Board. It also requires a waiver from the Australian Securities Exchange. Under the agreement, Hibiscus will take a 50.1 percent operating stake in VIC/P57. The funding from Hibiscus will be used to kick-start the development of the West Seahorse oil field, which involves the drilling of up to two appraisal wells. In addition, the joint venture is exploring the possibilities of building a mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) and a floating, storage and offtake tanker, which will be moored to a buoy.
Project Details: West Seahorse
Aug 10, 2012 – NZOG stated that after an extensive technical review the joint venture partners of PEP 38259 in the Canterbury Basin have agreed that the permit will be relinquished back to the Crown. NZOG holds a 40% stake in PEP 38259 with Beach Petroleum (NZ) Pty Ltd holding 35% and AWE New Zealand Pty Ltd 25% respectively.
Project Details: Barque
Africa – West
Subsea 7 to Supply, Install Subsea Components for Lianzi Development
Aug 16, 2012 – Subsea 7 has won a contract to supply and install subsea components for the development of the Lianzi field offshore Congo and Angola. The contract’s technical specifications include a 12-inch wet, insulated production flowline with direct electrical heating that will set a record for the deepest electrically-heated pipe. A part of the contract will be designed and fabricated in Luanda, with additional work carried out roughly 200 miles (322 kilometers) away in Lobito by Subsea 7’s Angolan joint venture. All flowlines will be spooled to the Seven Oceans rigid reel-lay ship at Subsea 7’s Luanda base. The $2 billion development will include a subsea production system and a 27-mile (43-kilometer) electrically heated flowline to transport the oil from the field to the BBLT platform. First oil is expected in 2015.
Project Details: BBLT
Europe – North Sea
EnQuest Working Through Kraken Concept Selection Phase
Aug 16, 2012 – EnQuest reported that during the first half of 2012, the company has been working through the concept selection phase of the Kraken development, with significant technical facilities and subsurface work underway. New 3D seismic survey material has been acquired, with initial interpretation nearing completion. The project remains on track for FDP submission in 1H 2013.
Project Details: Kraken
Ithaca Completes Drilling of Hurricane Well
Aug 15, 2012 – Ithaca Energy has completed the drilling of the Hurricane appraisal well in the Greater Stella area of the Central North Sea and is now proceeding to conduct a drill stem test. The Hurricane well (29/10b-8) was drilled to a total measured depth of 10,779 feet (3,285 meters) to appraise hydrocarbon bearing sands in the eastern lobe of the Hurricane structure closure. Logs indicate that the well has encountered hydrocarbons, which Ithaca said could be liquid-rich gas, in both the Rogaland and Andrew sands. Pressure and fluid sampling has been undertaken across both reservoir and sand intervals, and an initial DST will be conducted over the Andrew sand interval. Ithaca stated that the overall development work program for its Stella and Harrier fields were progressing as planned, with all major operational contracts in place following the Technip contract.
Project Details: Stella/Harrier
Apache Appraises Aviat Gas Discovery
Aug 13, 2012 – Apache is using the Rowan Gorilla VII (450′ ILC) to drill its Aviat appraisal well. This appraisal well is designed to assess whether this shallow gas field can provide fuel to operate the Forties Field to offset diesel import. Drilling is expected to take a little over three months.
Project Details: Aviat
Aug 13, 2012 – RWE Dea has delivered first gas from the Clipper South development in the UK sector of the North Sea. The field contains around 13.4 Bcm of gas in place. The first Clipper South well came on stream at initial rates of 1.2 MMcm/d with production expected to peak at 2.8 MMc/d in early 2013. The gas is located in a tight Permian age Rotliegend reservoir which contains about 3.4 Bcm of gas in place. The Clipper South Gas field lies in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) blocks 48/19 and 48/20, 62 miles (100 kilometers) east of the Lincolnshire coast. Gas from the Clipper South platform is transported about 9 miles (15 kilometers) to the Lincolnshire Offshore Gas Gathering System (LOGGS) and then about 62 miles (100 kilometers) to the onshore Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal in Lincolnshire, where the gas enters the UK grid.
Project Details: Clipper South
Heerema to Fabricate, Commission Topsides for Cygnus Development
Aug 13, 2012 – Heerema Fabrication Group has received a frame contract from GDF Suez E&P UK for the fabrication and commissioning of four topsides for the Cygnus gas field development in the UK sector of the North Sea. Fabrication of the Cygnus Alpha Wellhead topsides is due to start in December 2012 with completion scheduled for March 2014. This is to be followed by expected commencement of fabrication in June 2013 of the Cygnus Alpha processing & utilities module, bridges and flare as well as the Cygnus Bravo Wellhead topsides — all scheduled for completion in April 2015. Subsequently in December 2013, the fabrication of the Cygnus Alpha compression module will start, which will also be ready for installation onto the PU topsides in 2015.
Project Details: Cygnus
Aug 13, 2012 – Eni has commenced drilling of well 7220/10-1 in PL 533 at the Salina prospect (formerly Pulk) in the Barents Sea. The main objective of the well is to prove the presence of hydrocarbons in the reservoir.
Project Details: Salina
Det norske Comes Up Dry in Ulvetanna Prospect
Aug 13, 2012 – Det norske is in the process of completing the drilling of well 3/4-2S on the Ulvetanna prospect. The objective of the well was to prove petroleum in Cretaceous reservoir rock. The estimated main reservoir, the Tor formation, was encountered in the well, but contained no hydrocarbons. The Ulvetanna prospect is situated in PL 356 in the southern part of the North Sea in 167 feet (51 meters) of water.
Project Details: Ulvetanna
Lundin to Recommence Drilling Operations at Albert in 3Q 2012
Aug 10, 2012 – Lundin Petroleum reported that the Bredford Dolphin (mid-water semisub) is slated to return to the Albert field location (PL 519) in 3Q 2012 to finish drilling operations. The exploratory well was spud and temporarily suspended in June because the semisub needed to be reclassified. The main objective of the well is to test the Cretaceous and Triassic age sandstones of a multiple target structure.
Project Details: Albert
DONG Continues with Oselvar Development
Aug 10, 2012 – DONG Energy is continuing to develop the Oselvar field, in Production License 274, in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. Production from the field commenced in April, but the production ramp up has been slower than expected, stated Noreco, a partner in the field. The third and final production well was completed and tested in June, and the drilling rig has left the location. The field is currently producing from two wells and the third well is expected to come online during 3Q 2012. Thus far, the field has produced on average of 3,608 boepd.
Project Details: Oselvar
S. America – Venezuela
Perla to Hit 300MMcf/d by 2014
Aug 16, 2012 – Petroleos de Venezuela expects to reach its goal of producing about 300 MMcf/d of natural gas at its Perla field by 4Q 2013. Dow Jones reported that PdVSA had pushed back the estimated start of production at Perla to the first quarter of 2013 from its earlier estimate of the end of this year. It didn’t cite a reason for the delay.
Project Details: Perla
S. America – Brazil
Statoil Selects RDA for Peregrino FEED Work
Aug 16, 2012 – Statoil has selected RDS to perform the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for a fixed drilling rig, which will be part of the Peregrino phase II project. Peregrino commenced production in March 2011 and produces about 75,000 bopd.
Project Details: Peregrino
Petrobras Drills Ahead in Carcara to Determine Total Thickness of Oil Reservoir
Aug 15, 2012 – Petrobras is currently testing the Carcara prospect, exploratory well 4-SPS-86B (4-BRSA-971-SPS), on Block BM-S-8 in the ultra-deep waters of the pre-salt area in the Santos Basin. The operator is inside the oil zone at a depth of 20,384 feet (6,213 meters) to determine the total thickness of the oil reservoirs, as well as the presence of deeper pay zones. Oil samples were collected at a depth of 20,115 feet (6,131 meters), which have proven a good 31 degree API oil quality, stated the operator. The well has also proven that the carbonate reservoirs carry outstanding porosity and permeability characteristics. The in-progress drilling has confirmed over 1,312-foot (400-meter) column of oil, featuring mostly continuous and connected reservoirs.
Project Details: Carcara
Related articles
- Gulf of Mexico: INPEX Buys Lucius Stake (USA) (mb50.wordpress.com)
- Worldwide Field Development News Aug 3 – Aug 9, 2012 (mb50.wordpress.com)
- Recap: Worldwide Field Development News Jul 27 – Aug 2, 2012 (mb50.wordpress.com)
- McDermott Bags Offshore Installation Gig in U.S. GOM (mb50.wordpress.com)
- WWCS, DOF Subsea Conduct Subsea Services in US Gulf Of Mexico (mb50.wordpress.com)
Continents of the World
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