Talos starts Tornado production

Independent E&P company Talos Energy has started initial production from the Tornado exploration project in the Phoenix field, in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. 

The Tornado is a Pliocene oil discovery located in Green Canyon Blocks 236, 237, 280 and 281 in approximately 2,700 feet of water.

Talos said last week that initial production testing for the Tornado project started October 27, 2016 and the well GC 281 T-9 well was being tested at various flow rates to better understand the rock properties and impact on future development plans.

The company also said that, at the end of the two week test period, gross production rates in excess of 20,000 boepd were achieved, although the company planned to flow the well at a gross rate between 13,000 and 16,000 boepd until a second well was drilled and completed for additional redundancy.

Production from the Tornado well is flowing to the Helix Producer I, a dynamically positioned floating production unit, where minimal incremental lease operating expense is expected. The company owns 50% of the well and is the operator. Minority partners include Deep Gulf Energy III, LLC and Sojitz Energy Venture, Inc.

Tim Duncan, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to announce first production from our Tornado discovery ahead of schedule and under budget. Our technical and operational teams for the Phoenix Field have worked tirelessly on this project resulting in first production less than one year after the commencement of drilling operations.”

Duncan added: “The well test was conducted from our B-6 Lower Sand, one of four pay sands encountered in the Tornado discovery. We confirmed these reservoirs have excellent rock properties and we will use this data to update and potentially accelerate our development plan for this asset.”