Winterfell Oil Field Starts Production in U.S. Gulf of Mexico
The Winterfell development in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico has begun oil production, marking a significant milestone for the partners involved in the project. Kosmos Energy, one of the partners in the oilfield, announced this exciting news on Wednesday.
Located in the Green Canyon area in the Gulf of Mexico, Winterfell was discovered in 2021 at a water depth of approximately 5,400 feet. The field has been developed through a 13-mile subsea tieback to the host platform.
Houston-based Beacon Offshore Energy serves as the operator of the project, with additional partners including Westlawn Americas Offshore, Red Willow, Alta Mar Energy, and CSL Exploration. Kosmos Energy reported that Winterfell is a phased development, with the initial two production wells of the first phase currently online and ramping up production.
A third well is currently being drilled and is expected to come online by the end of the third quarter of 2024. The three initial wells are projected to deliver approximately 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Kosmos Energy’s chairman and chief executive, Andrew G. Inglis, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that Winterfell aligns well with the company’s portfolio due to its high-margin barrels, low carbon intensity, and quick payback period. Inglis also highlighted the significant future upside potential in the Greater Winterfell area.
The federal offshore Gulf of Mexico area has continued to be a key contributor to U.S. crude oil production, with the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showing a production rate of 1.831 million barrels per day in April 2024. In 2022, oil and natural gas production in the Federal Offshore Gulf of Mexico accounted for about 15% of total U.S. crude oil production and approximately 2% of total U.S. dry natural gas production.
By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com.
