Herschel Expansion project : bp begins production from three-well development

Oil and gas giant bp has started production at the Herschel Expansion project in the Mississippi Canyon block 520 in the Gulf of Mexico.

Herschel is the first of four major oil and gas projects that bp has scheduled to bring online globally this year.

Phase 1 of the Herschel Expansion project involved the development of a new subsea production system. The first of up to three wells was tied to the Na Kika platform operated by bp.

At its peak, the first well of the Herschel Expansion project is estimated to boost the annual gross production by 10,600 barrels of oil equivalent a day (boe/d).

bp begins production from three-well Herschel Expansion project in Gulf of Mexico. Photo courtesy of BP p.l.c.

Starlee Sykes — bp senior vice president Gulf of Mexico and Canada said: “bp continues to grow its position in the Gulf of Mexico by bringing online high-quality projects. Like other recent start-ups in the Gulf of Mexico, with Herschel we are tying into existing infrastructure to produce some of the most efficient barrels in the world.

“Focusing our hydrocarbons business on the highest quality resources such as these sits at the heart of bp’s strategy. Doing so safely, ahead of schedule and under budget is testament to the caliber of the team.”

Drilled to a depth of nearly 19,000ft, the bp-operated well is located southeast of the Na Kika platform, about 140 miles off the New Orleans coast.

According to bp, the Herschel Expansion project offers infrastructure for future well tie-in opportunities. The company and Shell have a 50% stake each in the Herschel development.