Crude oil production from the Gulf of Mexico will reach 1.52 million b/d in 2015 and 1.61 million b/d in 2016—or respectively 16% and 17% of total US crude production during each year—according to projections from the US Energy Information Administration.
The forecasted growth is driven both by new projects and the redevelopment and expansion of older producing fields.
During last year’s second half, production launched from five deepwater projects:
• Murphy Oil Corp.-operated Dalmatian.
• Royal Dutch Shell PLC-operated Cardamom Deep (OGJ Online, Sept. 8, 2014).
• Hess Corp.-operated Tubular Bells (OGJ Online, Nov. 17, 2014).
• Chevron Corp.-operated Jack-St. Malo (OGJ Online, Dec. 2, 2014).
• Stone Energy Corp.-operated Cardona (OGJ Online, Dec. 4, 2014).
The redevelopment of Shell’s Mars field and BP PLC’s Na Kika field—both mature—occurred at the beginning of the year (OGJ Online, Feb. 4, 2014; Feb. 24, 2014).
EIA says the increase in fields that came online in 2014 and are scheduled for production start-up in 2015 and 2016 reflect a revival of interest and activity in the gulf following the moratorium on deepwater drilling after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident.