Oil production in the US Gulf of Mexico (GoM) is poised to set new records in the imminent future, according to Rystad Energy.
Thanks to an impressive sprint, Royal Dutch Shell has started producing oil and gas at its Appomattox deepwater platform in GoM several months ahead of its expected startup in the third quarter of 2019.
“With earlier than planned production, Appomattox will be a key growth contributor to help push US Gulf of Mexico oil production toward a new record high before year-end,” says Joachim Milling Gregersen, Analyst on Rystad Energy’s Upstream team.
In 2013, GoM oil production was a mere 1.28 million bpd, whereas in 2018 production averaged a record high of 1.79 million bpd. Rystad Energy forecasts that 2019 production will average 1.95 million bpd, with some months potentially touching the 2 million bpd ceiling.
The Appomattox platform, Shell’s largest floating production system (FPS) in the Gulf of Mexico, will host the adjacent Appomattox and Vicksburg hydrocarbon accumulations. Rystad Energy forecasts that plateau production at the Appomattox development will be around 140,000 boe per day.
“The torch has been carried by large deepwater fields, of which Appomattox is the latest contribution,” Milling Gregersen added.
