Husky Energy Inc. expects to start oil production from its West White Rose project offshore Newfoundland and Labrador in 2022 with a gross peak production rate of 75,000 b/d in 2025 (OGJ Online, July 28, 2015). The company and its partners will use a fixed wellhead platform tied back to the SeaRose floating production, storage, and offloading vessel, which began operations in 2005.
The West White Rose project, which is expected to cost $5.2 billion over its lifespan, involves a concrete gravity structure supported wellhead platform to include drilling facilities, utilities, support services, and accommodations for personnel. Construction will start in this year’s fourth quarter.
Chief Executive Officer Rob Peabody said the project has been improved since it was first considered for sanction, “achieving a 30% improvement in capital efficiency and increasing the expected peak production rate by 40% over our initial investment.” The tie-back to the SeaRose is expected to lower incremental operating costs to less than $3/bbl over the first 10 years. Overall operating costs are expected to drop for the entire White Rose field as the project ramps up.
Husky has a 70% working interest in the field with partners Suncor Energy and Nalcor Energy Oil & Gas splitting the remaining 30%.
In conjunction with West White Rose project approval, Husky has made a series of discoveries and satellite developments in the White Rose production area. In Northwest White Rose the White Rose AZ-78 well delineated a light oil column of more than 100 m about 11 km northwest of the SeaRose FPSO in this year’s first quarter. Husky reported that assessment of the discovery was ongoing. The operator has 93.2% ownership interest, and cited that potential development could leverage the SeaRose, existing subsea systems, and the new West White Rose wellhead platform. Husky plans to bring a third South White Rose production well online later this year.
Contact Tayvis Dunnahoe at [email protected].
