Marine Log - April 2008 - (Page 23)

BY NICK BLENKEY OFFSHOREDRILLING PICKING THE RIGHT FLOATERS FOR DEEPWATER T wo Minerals Management Service sales of offshore oil and natural gas leases in the Eastern and Central Gulf of Mexico attracted more than $3.7 billion in high bids last month. The sales inaugurated enhanced revenue sharing with oil and gas producing Gulf states, instituted higher royalty rates and underscored both the region’s continuing importance as a source of U.S. domestic energy production and the continuing interest in deepwater leases. The Central Gulf of Mexico Sale 206, attracted a record-setting $3,677,688,245 in high bids. Record setting For Eastern Gulf of Mexico Sale 224, MMS received 58 bids from 6 companies on 36 tracts resulting in in bids $64,713,213 in high bids. Central Sale 206 offered 5,569 tracts comprising about 29.8 million acres in federal areas offshore Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. BP’s semi-submersible Atlantis platform is moored in 2,150 m of water The acreage is located from three to 230 miles offshore in water depths of about 10 feet (three meters) to more than “MMS expected continued strong technology is BP’s semi-submersible 11,200 feet (3,400 meters). interest from industry in the deepwater Atlantis platform, commissioned in JanAbout 34% of the tracts receiving bids and ultra-deepwater areas of the Central uary. The world’s deepest moored floating in this sale are in ultra-deepwater—more Gulf," said Randall Luthi, Director of the oil and gas production facility, Atlantis is than 5,249 ft (1,600 m). The deepest tract Minerals Management Service. “This moored in 2,150 m of water more than to receive a bid is Lloyd Ridge, Block 286, high level of interest is being sustained 150 miles south of Louisiana in the Gulf in 3,076 m of water. The highest bid by the information gained through new of Mexico (GoM) and has a production received on a block was $ 105,600,789 discoveries and the advancements in capacity of 200,000 bbl/day. As well as mooring depth, the platform also brings submitted by Anadarko E&P Company deepwater technology.” a number of firsts to BP’s offshore assets LP, Murphy Exploration & Production and the wider oil industry. Company USA, and Samson Offshore WORLD’S DEEPEST: ATLANTIS One example of advancements in such Atlantis uses an arrangement of a Company for Green Canyon Block 432. $3.7b Graphic from FloaTEC shows the scope of the advanced technology being used to exploit deepwater oil and gas www.marinelog.com APRIL 2008 MARINE LOG 23 http://www.marinelog.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Marine Log - April 2008

Marine Log - April 2008 Contents Editorial Second Thoughts Update Inside Washington Offshore Vessels Evolve to Meet Subsea Demands Picking the Right Floaters for Deepwater Tugs: The Good Times Roll, But for How Long? Interactive TV at Sea Jo-Kell's Suzan Kelly Tugs & Barges Exhibitors Preview Beyond Imagination Tech News Newsmakers Contracts Events Website Directory Infodirect ML Marketplace Last Page

Marine Log - April 2008

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