By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Jan. 18 -- Shell Exploration & Production Co.'s $298 million subsea Crosby development in the US Gulf of Mexico is on stream, producing 20,000 b/d of oil.
The three-well Crosby development is in 4,400 ft of water on Mississippi Canyon Blocks 398 and 399 in the Gulf of Mexico. It is tied back 10 miles to Ursa tension-leg platform on Mississippi Canyon Block 809 in 3,950 ft of water.
At peak, expected by the end of the first quarter, Crosby will produce 60,000 b/d of oil and 90 MMcfd of gas, boosting Ursa's total production to 170,000 b/d of oil.
Shell operates Crosby with 50% interest; BP PLC holds the remaining 50%.
Dave Lawrence, SEPCo exploration and development vice-president, said Crosby is the first field in the southern portion of Mars basin to come on stream. "Ursa, Mars, King, and ultimately, Princess, are all located in the northern part of the basin."
Target reserves are at 17,000-18,000 ft below sea level in three separate reservoirs. The oil is primarily 24-30°-gravity with 2% sulfur. Shell expects Crosby's total gross ultimate recovery at more than 70 million boe.
The company also said Einset field on Viosca Knoll Block 872 and 873, 170 miles southeast of New Orleans, is producing 30 MMcfd of gas.
Einset is expected to recover more than 30 bcf of gas over its production life. Peak production is expected to reach 60 MMcfd.
The field is in 3,500 ft of water and is tied back to Shell's Southeast Tahoe manifold on Viosca Knoll Block 784, which carries production 12 miles to Shell's Bud Lite platform on Main Pass 252.
Shell said it used existing infrastructure to accelerate production of the single-well development.
Shell operates Einset with 50% interest, and Dominion Exploration & Production Inc. holds the remaining interest.
