Project Profile
Location: Block 292 in Keathley Canyon, Gulf of Mexico, USA
Area: 51,800 acres
Water depth: 1,798 m (5,900 ft)
Start-up year: 2020
Kaskida is a field situated in block 292 in Keathley Canyon, in the Gulf of Mexico. It is 250 miles southwest of New Orleans. The field was discovered in 2006 in a water depth of 5,900 feet. The discovery is among the deepest in the Gulf of Mexico and is drilled to about 32,500 ft. Kaskida is among the largest Paleogene discoveries, with more three billion boe stock tank oil in place (STOIP).
The project covers 51,800 acres, including nine blocks in the Keathley Canyon deepwater. It was acquired by the partners in a federal OCS lease sale in August 2003. Geological forms in the Gulf of Mexico became accessible to crude and oil companies in 2006. About 800 net feet of hydrocarbons bearing sands were identified. Discovery of the field in the deepwater posed a challenge to BP. The company has implemented advancement recovery technologies to maximise recovery rates.
The field was found in the middle of Keathley Canyon offshore area. The Paleogene rock formation in the Gulf of Mexico is generally characterised by older sediments with ultra deepwater areas, high temperatures, high pressure reservoirs and high sand content. The appraisal activities for the well, located five miles to the west of the project field, started in 2008. In November 2009 it was announced that the appraisal well had confirmed oil in the Lower Tertiary reservoirs. The well, located in block 291 of Keathley Canyon in 5,675 ft of water, was drilled by the West Sirius semi-submersible rig. BP planned to continue the appraisal activities on the well in 2010 and start well tests in 2011. In October 2011 BP was authorised by Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to drill another appraisal well at the Kaskida field. It was the first permit for BP after the oil spill. BP commenced the drilling of the deepwater well in November 2011.
Ownership
In 2006 BP owned 55%, Anadarko Petroleum owned 25% and Devon owned 20% of the project. In March 2008 Statoil was expected to acquire 25% from Anadarko Petroleum. However, the remaining partners exercised their pre-emption rights. In 2008 BP\'s share increased to 70% and Devon\'s stake increased to 30%. BP is engaged in operating eight major deep facilities, delivering 30% of Gulf of Mexico deepwater production. It delivers about 400,000boe. BP acquired Devon’s stake in 2011 and currently holds a 100% interest in the field.
Operator:
BP: Operator with 100% interest
Contractor:
Seadrill Offshore: Drilling contract to use West Sirius