The Shell-operated Appomattox floating production system in the deepwater US Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico’s deepwater expansion, part 1: High pressure, high rewards
Majors in the region are pushing boundaries and could see significant upside, but longer-term risks remain
The startup of Chevron’s Anchor project represents a technological breakthrough in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM), unlocking a new production region thanks to equipment designed to handle higher pressures than before. However, while technology is helping offshore operators boost GOM production, there is concern over the possibility of a slowdown in new projects being sanctioned over the longer term. Chevron announced it had brought Anchor online in mid-August, marking the introduction of technology rated to operate at pressures of up to 20,000psi. Anchor is targeting high-pressure reservoirs at depths of up to 34,000ft below sea level and has a production capacity of 75,000b/d of oil and
Also in this section
21 February 2025
While large-scale planned LNG schemes in sub-Saharan Africa have faced fresh problems, FLNG projects are stepping into that space
20 February 2025
Greater social mobility means increased global demand for refined fuels and petrochemical products, with Asia leading the way in the expansion of refining capacity
19 February 2025
The EU would do well to ease its gas storage requirements to avoid heavy purchase costs this summer, with the targets having created market distortion while giving sellers a significant advantage over buyers
18 February 2025
Deliveries to China decline by around 1m b/d from move to curb crude exports to Shandong port, putting Iran under further economic pressure
