Project Profile
Potential Value: US$250 million
Location: 170 miles south of the Louisiana coast
Pipeline: 40 miles (64km) of 20-inch diameter pipe
Water Depth: 5,900 feet (1,800 metres)
Capacity: 100,000 barrels per day
Start-up Year: 2012
The Big Foot Oil Pipeline in the US Gulf of Mexico will be constructed by Enbridge Inc. A letter of intent was signed by Enbridge on 5 October 2009 with Chevron USA, Statoil Gulf of Mexico LLC and Marubeni Oil and Gas (USA).
On 29 July 2009 Enbridge announced it would construct, own and operate the US$500 million Walker Ridge Gathering System (WRGS), which will aggregate and transport natural gas for the proposed Jack, St Malo and Big Foot fields, which are operated by Chevron. The Big Foot Oil Pipeline is complementary to the project. The pipeline will be located 170 miles south of the Louisiana coast. The estimated cost of the project is US$250m and will be funded by Enbridge.
The Big Foot Oil Pipeline will transport crude oil to a subsea connection. The pipeline will be 40 miles long, have a 20in diameter and will be situated at a depth of approximately 5,900ft. It will have a transporting capacity of 100,000bpd. Cronus Technology Inc (CTI) has been selected as consultant for the Big Foot Oil Pipeline project and is working on the pipeline\'s design. The project is expected to be completed by 2012.
The field was discovered by California-based energy company Chevron Corporation in January 2006. Chevron, the operator holds a 60% interest in the field. Other stakeholders include Statoil (27.5%) and Marubeni Oil & Gas (12.5%).
Operators:
Chevron USA: Operator with 60% interest
Statoil Gulf of Mexico LLC: 27.5% interest
Marubeni Oil and Gas USA: 12.5% interest
Contractors:
Cronus Technology Inc (CTI): Consultant
Foster Wheeler: Design contract