Project Profile
Location: Louisiana,Gulf of Mexico, USA
Blocks: 783 and 784
Production: 5 million bopd, 10 mcf/d of natural gas and 1 mb/d of natural gas liquids
Start-up Year: April 2004
The Magnolia field is located approximately 180 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana, US, in Garden Banks blocks 783 and 784 in the Gulf of Mexico. ConocoPhillips, as operator, holds a 75% working interest in the field with Ocean Energy owning the remaining 25%. In 2003, Ocean Energy merged with Devon Energy, so, 25% is now owned by Devon Energy.
The field began production in April of 2004 and the initial development was completed in 2006. An average production of five million barrels per day of crude oil, ten million cubic feet per day of natural gas and one million barrels per day of natural gas liquids in 2008.
The well, drilled to a depth of 16,868ft, encountered hydrocarbon-bearing sections of 150ft to 200ft net. This was followed by the Magnolia GB 783 No2 appraisal well, a 6,000ft westerly step-out from the discovery. This was drilled to a total depth of 17,435ft. The well encountered oil-bearing sand in excess of 400ft net, with 300ft net in one continuous unit. The Magnolia field was developed by a tension leg platform (TLP), installed in 4,700ft of water, a record depth for this type of floating structure.
Magnolia project details:
The design capacity of the production facilities is 50,000 barrels of oil per day and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. The platform is also be fitted with completion rig. The Magnolia TLP is connected to the Shell-operated platform hub at Garden Banks 128, located 50 miles away, by means of two pipelines to Shell\'s Enchilada platform. The 16in natural gas pipeline is constructed and owned by Shell Gas Gathering, and has a 275 million cubic feet per day capacity. It connects into the Shell-operated Garden Banks Gas Pipeline System, which transports the gas to a variety of pipelines linked to onshore locations. The 14in oil pipeline was constructed and owned by Shell Pipeline Company and has a 75,000bpd capacity. It is connected into the existing Auger pipeline system.
Contractors:
ABB Lummus Global Americas was awarded the contract for design, procurement, project management and construction services for the TLP hull and associated systems. This innovative deepwater hull consists of four circular columns connected at the bottom by rectangular pontoons. At the base of each column, a pontoon extends outwards to support two tethers, which are connected to pile foundations on the seabed. The TLP hull was constructed at the yard of Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea. Alliance Engineering was awarded the contract for the topsides\' engineering, procurement and project management services.
The topsides design incorporates state-of-the-art lightweight design technology, which reduces costs and preserves flexibility in production operations. The Magnolia TLP will be connected to the platform hub at Garden Banks 128, located 50 miles away, by means of two pipelines to Shell\'s Enchilada platform. EMCÉ BV provided the winches for the installation of platform. Accommodation units were provided by Duffy & McGovern Accommodation Services.
Operator:
ConocoPhillips: Operator with 75% interest
Devon Energy: 25% interest
Contractors:
ABB Lummus Global: Design, procurement, project management and construction services for the TLP hull and associated systems
Samsung Heavy Industries: TLP hull construction
Alliance Engineering: Topsides\' engineering, procurement and project management services
EMCÉ BV: Provider of the winches for the installation of platform
Duffy & McGovern Accommodation Services: Accommodation units