By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Nov. 6 -- Shell Exploration & Production Co. (SEPCo) brought its Oregano oil field in the Gulf of Mexico on stream Oct. 17, a month ahead of schedule and $10 million under budget.
Oregano cost $120 million to develop, not including lease costs. Oregano reserves are 50 million boe.
Oregano, on Garden Banks Block 559 in 3,400 ft of water, is producing 11,000 b/d of oil from two wells through a subsea production system. Peak production of 20,000 b/d is expected by yearend.
The wells are tied back 8 miles to SEPCo's Auger tension-leg platform in 2,860 ft of water on Garden Banks Block 426 (OGJ Online, Sept. 14, 2001).
SEPCo said the project is another expansion of its hub strategy; Macaroni field, in 3,700 ft of water on Garden Banks Block 602, was tied in to Auger in 1999.
The company noted Oregano will use a single production flowline to Auger, as opposed to the traditional two-flowline loop.