Oil operator Talos Energy is planning to shut its producing Phoenix and Tornado oil fields in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico next year. This is to allow for a mandatory dry-dock of the Helix Producer-1 vessel, which is used to produce oil from the two fields.
Regulations require that the Helix Producer-1 must go into dry dock twice during every five year period with an average non‐productive period of 45 – 60 days each time.
During the dry-dock, scheduled for the first quarter of 2019, the Helix Producer-1 will get the thrusters replacement, and undergo maintenance to the top-sides and hull. It will then mobilize back to the Phoenix/Tornado field and restart normal operations.
According to Talos, the Phoenix complex currently produces approximately 35 MBoe/d total gross, of which approximately 25 MBoe/d is produced from two Tornado wells.
Talos plans to spud Tornado #3 in Q4 2018 and expects to bring it to production in 2Q 2019, following the dry-dock period of the Helix Producer-1.
The Tornado #3 well is expected to have an initial gross production rate of 10-15 MBoe/d.
Talos owns a 65% working interest. in the Tornado wells and 100% working interest in the remainder of the wells and assets in the Phoenix Complex.
Offshore Energy Today Staff