From Houston (BN): BP’s new plan for the expansion of the Mad Dog (SEN, 31/19) development in the Gulf of Mexico features a 140,000b/d semi-submersible floating production platform.

Plans for Mad Dog 2, approved by the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, place the new facility in 1,353m in Green Canyon 780, two blocks west of the existing Mad Dog spar. Not yet named, the facility also will be capable of providing 280,000bw/d of low-salinity (LoSal) water flooding.

Back to the drawing board

In 2012, BP and its partners, BHP Billiton and Chevron, planned a second spar for Mad Dog 2, but hit the pause button in early 2013 citing high costs. Since then, the partners have reiterated their commitment to Mad Dog 2, but searched for a more economical approach.

The new plan calls for 29 subsea wells, including 17 producers and 12 water injectors. There will be five drill centers in GC825 and 870 with bottom-hole locations spread across six blocks - GC781, 824, 825, 826, 869 and 870.

Installation of the new platform is targeted for 2020, three years later than first oil in the earlier plan. Documents filed with BOEM indicate drilling could commence as early as next month and continue beyond 2025. Each well requires a separate permit prior to spudding and filing and approval of a development does not constitute a final investment decision.

The new plan, filed last August and approved 5 March, calls for 61km of infield flowlines, 84km of umbilicals as well as other related subsea infrastructure, with export through 37km of pipelines linked to the Mardi Gras system.

BP operates (60.5%) for BHP (23.9%) and Chevron (15.6%).

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