Offshore Staff
(US, GoM) - Chevron has approved the construction of a 55-mi crude oil pipeline that will connect the Chevron-operated Tahiti project to the existing Amberjack pipeline.
Chevron also approved expanding the pipeline from a 20-in to a 24-in diameter design that can handle 300,000 b/d of oil and accommodate additional discoveries in the Walker Ridge and Green Canyon areas.
Chevron expects to invest a total of $3.3 billion this year in US exploration, development and production projects.
"The Tahiti pipeline positions Chevron for near- and long-term sustained production growth in the deepwater GoM," says Gary Luquette, president of Chevron North America E&P Co. "The pipeline will serve Chevron's $3.5 billion Tahiti project and may also facilitate the development of other current and future discoveries."
The 55-mi pipeline will be built by Amberjack Pipeline Co. LLC and owned equally by Chevron Pipe Line Co. and Shell Pipe Line Co. LP. The pipeline will be located in 4,200 ft of water in Green Canyon block 641 and will connect the Tahiti platform, currently under construction, and the existing Amberjack pipeline system and other existing crude oil pipeline infrastructure in Green Canyon block 19.
The Tahiti project is expected to begin production in 2008 with a maximum daily production of 125,000 b/d of crude oil and 70 MMcf of natural gas.
05/16/06
