Texaco Exploration & Production Inc. and Chevron U.S.A. Production Co. have decided on a fast-track development plan for their Gemini deepwater prospect in the Gulf of Mexico.
The use of a subsea development system will enable the partners to bring the field on stream in less than 18 months, making it the Gulf of Mexico's third subsalt field development. The first was Mahogany, developed by a group led by Phillips Petroleum Co. (OGJ, July 14, 1997, p. 19); the second was Enchilada, which Shell Exploration & Production Co. started producing late last year.
Gemini development will involve a $185 million subsea production system. First oil is slated for mid-1999.
Gemini is on Mississippi Canyon Bocks 291, 292, and 247, about 90 miles southeast of New Orleans (see map, OGJ, July 14, 1997, p. 20). Water depth on the blocks is about 3,400 ft.
Texaco is operator with a 60% working interest in the prospect. Chevron holds a 40% working interest.
Projected reserves for Gemini are 250-300 bcf of gas and 3-4 million bbl of condensate, says Texaco. At peak output, production rates will be 150-200 MMcfd of gas and 2,000-3,000 b/d of condensate.
Development
Gemini subsea development will consist of: drilling two development wells; completing an existing explor- atory well; and designing, fabricating, and installing a subsea manifold system, processing facilities on an existing platform, and dual gas export flow lines.
Drilling is slated to begin in second half 1998.
The production system will consist of three wells tied into a subsea manifold. Oil will flow 27 miles in dual 12-in. flow lines to a processing platform on Viosca Knoll Block 900. Chevron is operator of the platform and holds a 75% interest; Texaco owns the remaining 25%.
The Gemini production system will allow for future third-party production tie-ins, said Robert S. Lane, vice-president of Texaco North America Production.
Gemini was discovered in 1995 and tested in May 1996. The first exploratory well flowed 32 MMcfd of gas and 627 b/d of condensate.
"Evaluation of the test data indicates that even higher flow rates can be expected when wells are completed for production," said Texaco.
"Gemini will deliver first production in less than 18 months, putting the project on a fast track," said Claire S. Farley, president of Texaco North America Production. "It will also establish the initial infrastructure in the Mississippi Canyon region, where Texaco and Chevron are joint owners of more than 30 leases."
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