Exxon outlines Hoover/Diana development

Exxon Co. U.S.A. has unveiled a $1.2 billion development plan for Hoover and Diana fields in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Exxon claims the project will set a world water depth record-4,800 ft-for a drilling-production platform with an associated subsea development, while advancing deepwater know-how for pipelines, risers, and mooring systems. Hoover and Diana lie about 160 miles south of Galveston, Tex., and contain a combined 300 million boe of reserves. They will be the first to be developed

April 13, 1998

2 min read

Exxon Co. U.S.A. has unveiled a $1.2 billion development plan for Hoover and Diana fields in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

Exxon claims the project will set a world water depth record-4,800 ft-for a drilling-production platform with an associated subsea development, while advancing deepwater know-how for pipelines, risers, and mooring systems.

Hoover and Diana lie about 160 miles south of Galveston, Tex., and contain a combined 300 million boe of reserves. They will be the first to be developed of 10 deepwater Gulf of Mexico finds in which Exxon has an interest.

The development plan involves use of a deep-draft caisson vessel (DDCV). The plan also calls for surface production trees, another industry first in water this deep, says Exxon.

The DDCV, a catenary-moored steel cylindrical hull, will float vertically over Hoover field. It will be capable of handling as much as 100,000 b/d of oil and 325 MMcfd of gas.

Diana will be developed with six wells tied back to the Hoover central facility. Oil and gas will be transported to shore via new pipelines.

The DDCV will be installed in 1999, with first oil expected the following year. Exxon holds a two-thirds interest in the fields; BP Exploration holds the remaining third.