Hess advances Stampede project
in deepwater GoM
TLP has been installed, two-rig drilling program under way
Hess Corp. is advancing the development of its Stampede project in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, with first production expected in the first half of 2018. The Stampede field, discovered in 2005, has been deemed
to be one of the largest undeveloped fields in the GoM, with estimated gross recoverable reserves in the range of 300-350 MMboe.
It is located 115 mi (185 km) south of Fourchon, Louisiana, in Green
Canyon blocks 468, 511, and 512.
The field is located in approximately 3,500 ft of water, with a reservoir depth of 30,000 ft, and several pay intervals layered within a
span of 3,000 ft at that depth.
The development plan calls for six subsea production wells and
four water injection wells from two subsea drill centers tied-back to
a TLP. Gross topsides processing capacity is about 80,000 b/d of oil
and 100,000 b/d of water injection.
The TLP has been installed, with hookup and commissioning progressing on schedule. The subsea production wells are being drilled
from two drill centers, with piggable flowlines tying the wells back to
the TLP. A two-rig drilling program is under way. One well has been
drilled and completed, and completion operations are under way on
the second and third wells.
Artificial lift will be required for the field, and water injection may
be utilized for reservoir pressure support. A total of six producing
wells and four water injection wells are anticipated.
Hess has a 25% working interest and is operator. Union Oil Co.
of California, a Chevron subsidiary, Statoil, and Nexen Petroleum
Offshore U.S.A., a CNOOC Ltd. company, each have a 25% working
interest.
TLP tow out
The Stampede TLP was towed out to the Green Canyon area and
installed at its site location this past May. Crowley Maritime Corp.’s ocean
class tugboats and 455-series high-deck strength
barges supported the operation. Crowley says that
six of its vessels worked alongside other third-party
assets to deliver the platform, tendons, and other
equipment from Kiewit Offshore Services’ facility in Ingleside, Texas.
In the first stage, Crowley’s ocean class tugboat Ocean Wind and
the 455-series barges 455-3, 455-5 and 455-7 worked with other contracted vessels to deliver many 300-ft (91.4-m) sections of 12 3,400-ft
( 1,036-m) tendons that would secure the TLP to the seabed. From
there, the company’s Ocean Sun and Ocean Sky, along with several
third-party tugs, towed the TLP through the Ingleside Channel to
offshore waters.
The Ocean Sun, Ocean Sky, and two third-party anchor-handling
tugs safely towed the Stampede hull for four days before reaching
the project site.
Upon arrival, Crowley’s tugboats began the third phase of work,
positioning and stabilizing the platform using the tugs’ dynamic
positioning capabilities while the TLP was secured to the tendons.
Crowley says that the tugs were positioned in a stationary star
pattern, and used their tow wires to hold the platform steady in the
middle. After Hess and its installation contractor, Heerema Marine
Contractors, completed installation and the platform was made storm
safe, Crowley’s assets were demobilized and returned to nearshore
waters.
Contract awards
Hess has consistently awarded supply and service contracts since
the project was sanctioned in October 2014. Some of the more notable
contract awards included:
• Wood Group Mustang provided front-end engineering design
for the TLP
• MODEC International was selected to provide engineering and
management services for the TLP
Bruce Beaubouef
Managing Editor
Courtesy Hess Corp.
