April 2008 Cover Story

Deepwater Gulf Of Mexico Takes A Leading Role In Meeting Nation’s Energy Needs

By Lars Herbst

NEW ORLEANS–Any discussion of energy production in the Gulf of Mexico must include an analysis of activity in water depths greater than 1,000 feet. The Gulf of Mexico deepwater frontier fills the lead role in the nation’s domestic energy portfolio, and the future looks promising.

Last year was highlighted by the Independence Hub project, which now brings a tremendous volume of natural gas production to American consumers from the ultradeep waters of the Gulf.

At the end of 2007, BP’s Atlantis project also came on line. As the deepest moored, floating oil and gas production facility in the world, Atlantis will considerably impact total Gulf oil production as it ramps toward its full potential in 2008 and beyond.

Later this year, BP’s Thunder Horse project also is expected to come on line. With a design capacity of 250,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas a day, the Thunder Horse project is anticipated to account for the most production in the Gulf.

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