Audubon Engineering wins major contract for BP’s Kaskida Project in Gulf of Mexico

In a significant development for the oil and gas sector, Audubon Engineering Company (Audubon), a prominent player in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solutions, has secured a major contract with BP for the Kaskida project. The contract encompasses the topside engineering and design of the Kaskida floating production unit (FPU) situated in the US Gulf of Mexico. This announcement underscores Audubon’s capabilities and marks a pivotal moment in their project portfolio.

Audubon’s Role in the Kaskida Project

Audubon Engineering Company will leverage its extensive experience, honed through previous successes with Delta House, King’s Quay, and Shenandoah semisubmersibles, to deliver the topside engineering and design for the Kaskida FPU. The company aims to apply its proven design methodologies to ensure rapid cycle times and effective project execution. Terry Mienie, Executive Vice President of Offshore at Audubon, expressed enthusiasm about the project, highlighting the team’s decades of expertise in designing and delivering offshore platforms. Mienie emphasized their readiness to utilize this expertise in collaboration with BP to develop the Kaskida FPU efficiently and safely.

BP’s Strategic Move with Kaskida

Recently, British Petroleum (BP) decided to move forward with the Kaskida project, marking the establishment of its sixth hub in the US Gulf of Mexico. This ambitious project is set to play a crucial role in BP’s strategy to provide secure, affordable, and reliable energy while reinforcing its commitment to the Gulf region’s development. The Kaskida project is expected to introduce a new floating production platform capable of producing 80,000 barrels of crude oil per day from six wells, with production slated to commence in 2029.

Gordon Birrell, BP’s Executive Vice President of Production and Operations, emphasized the project’s significance in unlocking the Paleogene potential in the Gulf of Mexico. He highlighted the role of advanced technology in transitioning Kaskida from discovery to production, projecting it as a world-class development. The Kaskida field, fully owned by BP, is estimated to have recoverable resources of approximately 275 million barrels of oil equivalent in its initial phase, with potential for additional wells in future phases.

Engineering and Development Progress

Engineering work for the Kaskida FPU has already commenced, with Audubon focusing on topside design and EXMAR Offshore tasked with hull design. BP’s strategic approach involves utilizing existing platform and subsea equipment designs to achieve cost efficiencies in construction, commissioning, and operations. The project, located in the Keathley Canyon area about 250 miles southwest of New Orleans, has the potential to develop up to 10 billion barrels of discovered resources across the Kaskida and Tiber catchment areas. BP’s commitment to a rigorous financial framework underscores its focus on delivering value and optimizing returns.