BHP Group’s board approved $696 million in funding to develop the Atlantis Phase 3 expansion in the US Gulf of Mexico and $256 million in funding to drill an additional appraisal well in Trion field offshore Mexico.
BHP’s Atlantis decision came after Atlantis operator BP PLC approved the Atlantis Phase 3 in January (OGJ Online, Jan. 8, 2019).
Atlantis Phase 3, which is 130 miles off Louisiana, is a subsea tieback of eight production wells. Production is expected to begin in 2020. BHP holds 44% interest in Atlantis field. BP holds 56% interest.
Offshore Mexico, BHP said it is working to delineate the scale of Trion field. The 3DEL appraisal well will help BHP confirm the volume and hydrocarbon composition near the Trion structure crest and study its development viability.
The appraisal well is scheduled to be spudded in this year’s second half. BHP is Trion operator with 60% interest while Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) holds 40% interest.