Chevron begins producing Typhoon field in deepwater Gulf of Mexico

Chevron USA Production Co. has begun production at its Typhoon field in 2,100 ft of water on Green Canyon Blocks 236 and 237 in the US Gulf of Mexico. Typhoon is expected to reach production of 40,000 b/d of oil and 60 MMcfd of gas during fourth quarter 2001.

July 31, 2001

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, July 31 -- Chevron USA Production Co. has begun production at its Typhoon field in 2,100 ft of water on Green Canyon 236 and 237 in the US Gulf of Mexico.

Typhoon is expected to reach production of 40,000 b/d of oil and 60 MMcfd of gas during the fourth quarter. Chevron expects the life of Typhoon to be 5-8 years.

"Realizing first production at Typhoon only 18 months after project approval is the result of pace-setting performance in deepwater project development," said George Kirkland, president of Chevron USA Production Co. "Typhoon was brought on line safely, under the $256 million project budget, and significantly ahead of schedule."

Typhoon's is produced through a tension-leg platform, which is operating four wells via subsea completions. The oil and gas is moved through lines that tie into existing pipelines.

Chevron operates Typhoon with 50% and BHP Billiton Ltd. owns 50% (OGJ, Apr. 10, 2000, p. 39).

The US Minerals Management Service has granted royalty relief to the field, which will allow the first 87.5 million boe produced from Typhoon to be exempt from royalties under certain market conditions (OGJ Online, Dec. 7, 2000).