SBM Offshore announces Thunder Hawk tiebacks

Sept. 17, 2014
SBM Offshore has signed a production handling agreement with Noble Energy to produce the Big Bend and Dantzler fields to the Thunder Hawk DeepDraft semi located in 6,060 ft (1,847 m) of water in the Gulf of Mexico.

Offshore staff

SCHIEDAM, the NetherlandsSBM Offshore has signed a production handling agreement with Noble Energy to produce the Big Bend and Dantzler fields to the Thunder Hawk DeepDraft Semi located in 6,060 ft (1,847 m) of water in the Gulf of Mexico.

Production fees associated with produced volumes are estimated to lead up to projected revenue of $400 million to be delivered over the 10-year primary contract period. First oil from Big Bend and Dantzler are expected in late 2015 and 1Q 2016, respectively. At these levels, both fields will utilize a maximum of 85% of total daily asset capacity, and brownfield construction to upgrade the facility will be handled by Noble Energy.

The Big Bend field is 18 mi (29 km) from the Thunder Hawk platform in 7,200 ft (2,195 m) of water in Mississippi Canyon block 698. Noble Energy operates a 54% working interest in Big Bend, alongside W&T Energy VI LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of W&T Offshore Inc.) with 20%, Red Willow Offshore LLC with 15.4%, and Houston Energy Deepwater Ventures V LLC with 10.6%.

The Dantzler field is 7 mi (11 km) from the Thunder Hawk platform in 6,580 ft (2,006 m) of water in Mississippi Canyon block 782. Noble Energy operates Dantzler with a 45% working interest. Additional interest owners are entities managed by Ridgewood Energy Corp. (including ILX Holdings II LLC, a portfolio company of Riverstone Holdings LLC) with 35%, and W&T Energy VI with 20%. Big Bend and Dantzler will be developed via a dual pipe-in-pipe loop system.

The Thunder Hawk DeepDraft Semi, installed in July 2009, was developed as a steel catenary riser (SCR) friendly floater solution. The deck and hull can be integrated quayside, avoiding costly offshore lifting and system commissioning operations.

SBM CEO Bruno Chabas says, “SBM Offshore is pleased that the Thunder Hawk platform allowed for a cost-effective development solution for Noble Energy and its partners. The deepwater semi solution offers numerous advantages forsubsea developments including reduced development capital, lower operating costs, and an accelerated development schedule.”

09/16/2014