Port Fourchon positions for future GoM E&P
David Paganie
In addition, more that 270 large oilfield vessels move intermodal cargo through the port’s channels daily, which is busier than the Mississippi River, according to Falgout. In 2004, approximately 20 million tons of cargo sailed the port’s channels, which is about a 10% increase from 2003.
Fourchon is sixth in domestic tonnage handling compared to all other ports in the US.
“Everything that’s necessary to keep the unseen population offshore operational is moved in and out of the port continuously,” explains Falgout, “and you cannot provide the quantity of materials necessary to fill one of the industry’s state-of-the-art, large supply vessels anywhere else faster than you can at Fourchon.”
Port Fourchon also serves as a base for moving people and product offshore via helicopter as well. Over 6,000 people a week travel to offshore locations in the Gulf by helicopter.
Deepwater E&P
Port Fourchon has established itself over the years as the primary service base for deepwater, given its proximity to the central GoM where most of the deepwater activity is taking place.
The port currently services over 75% of the region’s deepwater oil production. In addition, of the 165 existing and pending deepwater projects identified to date, over 50% are using, or plan to use, Port Fourchon as their service base.
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Port Fourchon services 67% of the deepwater discoveries announced to date, including 5 of the 10 confirmed in 2005 - Allegheny South in Green Canyon block 298, Knotty Head in Green Canyon block 512, Genghis Khan in Green Canyon block 652, Jubilee Extension in Lloyd Ridge block 309, and South Dachshund/Mondo NW Extension in Lloyd Ridge block 001. Unocal (now Chevron)-operated Trident in Alaminos Canyon block 903 is the deepest discovery serviced by the port, located in approximately 9,687 ft of water. Shell’s Great White discovery in Alaminos Canyon block 857 is the outermost well serviced by the port, at around 360 mi.
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Major deepwater projects with service bases at the port include the Independence Hub in Mississippi Canyon block 920, Thunder Horse in Mississippi Canyon block 778, and Atlantis in Green Canyon block 699.
According to MMS statistics, at the end of 2005, oil production from the Gulf’s deep waters accounted for almost 70% of all OCS production, and gas production from deepwater developments amounted to almost 40% of total OCS production. These figures have dramatically increased over the last 15 years when oil production from deepwater accounted for only 3.5% of total OCS production, and deepwater gas wells supplied less than 1% of all OCS production.
Furthermore, the MMS estimates that by 2011, nearly 80% of all OCS production will originate in deepwater. The OCS currently provides 30% of oil and 21% of natural gas produced domestically, according to the MMS.
Expansion
After the port’s E-Slip filled up, Port Fourchon decisionmakers began permitting for additional acreage north of the slip, dubbed the Northern Expansion project. Expansion plans were approved and construction was underway in 2001.
Phase 1 of The Northern Expansion project calls for development of a 700-acre site, more than doubling the size of the port. Included in phase 1 is construction of a major drilling rig repair facility and development of 180 acres of non-waterfront property and 520 acres with 21,000 linear ft of water frontage.
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Page 3 of 7
Volume 66 Issue 3
March 2006
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