On June 3rd, BP began the initial start-up of the Galapagos development in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico. This is one of many new major upstream projects the company intends to bring into production this year.
The Galapagos development includes three deepwater fields; the Isabela, Santiago and Santa Cruz which are currently being produced using subsea equipment on the Gulf floor. The development increases the capability of a key offshore production hub for the company. To carry output to the BP-operated Na Kika host facility platform, a new production flowline loop has been added.
The Na Kika facility is located about 140 miles southeast of New Orleans in 6,500 feet of water, has a production capacity of 130,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and has been modified to accommodate the output of the three fields. The project is expected to be fully ramped up by the end of June.
BP holds a 56% interest in the three block area where the fields are located, co-owned by Noble Energy Inc., Red Willow Offshore, LLC and Houston Energy L.P. BP also acts as operator for the Isabela field.
The company plans to invest at least USD$4 billion a year on oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico over the next decade.
Regional President of BP’s U.S. Gulf of Mexico business, James Dupree said, “The Galapagos development marks another significant step forward for BP in the Gulf of Mexico, and reflects the potential we continue to see in this world-class basin, now and in the future.”