--> Shell's Pursuit of Deepwater Norphlet Play Yields Continued Success

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Shell's Pursuit of Deepwater Norphlet Play Yields Continued Success

Abstract

Abstract

Shell's Deepwater Norphlet play began with Lease Sale 181 (2001) and has matured with continued drilling through the present, starting with prospect Shiloh (DC269) in 2003. Further exploration drilling through 2009 continued to delineate the deepwater Norphlet play with limited commercial success. In late 2009, the Appomattox Field was discovered, proving significant good quality oil in thick Aeolian sands. Appraisal of the field was completed in 2013. Follow on exploration successes include the announced Vicksburg, Gettysburg and Rydberg discoveries.

The Appomattox deep-water development in the Gulf of Mexico was sanctioned in 2015 and construction is ongoing of Shell's eighth and largest floating platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The project will consist of a semi-submersible, four-column production host platform, a subsea system featuring six drill centers, 15 producing wells, and five water injection wells. The Appomattox development will initially produce from the Appomattox and Vicksburg fields, with average peak production estimated to reach approximately 175,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and includes the development of approximately 650 million boe resources from the Appomattox and Vicksburg fields. Start-up is estimated to be around the end of this decade. Near field exploration opportunities, soon to be tested, could bring the total estimated discovered resources in the area to more than a billion barrels of oil equivalent. Development of additional resources will be optimized once the key prospects are drilled to properly size the next phase of development.