May 2009 Vol. 236 No. 5

Projects

BHP Billiton Begins Production From Deepwater TLP In Gulf

BHP Billiton Petroleum’s tension leg platform (TLP) began first oil and natural gas production from the Shenzi development in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

The TLP has nominal capacity of 100,000 bpd and 50 MMcf/d of natural gas. The facility is located 120 miles off the Louisiana coastline and is installed in 4,300 feet of water on Green Canyon Block 653, the second-deepest TLP in the world.

Chief Executive J. Michael Yeager said the development came on stream ahead of schedule, within budget.

“Shenzi joins the already producing Neptune field as the second BHP Billiton-operated, standalone, deepwater facility in the Gulf of Mexico,” he said. “Together with Genghis Khan, Atlantis and Mad Dog, the company has realized significant increase in production after considerable investment and technical focus.”