Technology opens Paleogene play

摘要

Production systems take a step forward as the world's deepest-water spar takes shape. Shell Exploration & Production will break new ground as it reaches for production from the deepest-water wells in the world at its Perdido regional development near the southern boundary of the US side of the Gulf of Mexico. It will be one of the first companies to produce from the prolific Lower Tertiary trend, which currently reaches from Alaminos Canyon in the west through Keathley Canyon and into Walker Pudge. Records fall frequently for the company. A decade ago it claimed the world water depth production record at 5,300 ft (1,616 m) with its Mensa subsea field in Mississippi Canyon 731. It built the Na Kika long-ranging production system centered on a semi-submersible production hub. The field in the deepest water on that system is Shell's Coulomb in 7,558 ft (2,305 m) of water in Mississippi Canyon 613 and 657. It started production in 2003. Anadarko Petroleum Corp. is installing its Independence Hub semisubmersible production center in 8,000 ft (2,440 m) of water with production from several deepwater wells. The deepest well will be Cheyenne in 8,938 ft (2,740 m) of water in Lloyd Ridge 399. It's Anadarko's well now, but Shell drilled the discovery.