Shell and Kosmos Energy have sanctioned the Trailblazer exploration well in the US Gulf of Mexico, targeting a prospect estimated to contain about 200 MMboe and potentially setting up another subsea tieback to Shell's Appomattox production hub.

Shell plans to drill the ~200 MMboe Trailblazer prospect early next year in the Norphlet trend in the US Gulf, partner Kosmos Energy said in a results update.

The Trailblazer well is one of the first tangible outcomes of the strategic partnership announced by Shell and Kosmos earlier this year. The alliance combines Shell's Gulf of Mexico infrastructure and deepwater operating experience with Kosmos' exploration portfolio and development expertise.

If drilling leads to a commercial discovery, this could be tied back to Shell's nearby Appomattox platform, with Kosmos appointed operator of the development. A successful Trailblazer discovery could benefit from existing processing and export infrastructure at Appomattox, reducing development costs and potentially shortening the timeline from discovery to first production compared with a standalone development.

Tiberius development progresses

In March, Kosmos and Occidental took FID on the Tiberius project in the Keathley Canyon, a planned tie-in to Occidental’s Lucius spar platform.

Last month, Navitas Petroleum also agreed to come onboard via a 33.33% farm-in deal, under which Kosmos should be carried for its share of the project costs through mid-2027.

At the Beacon Energy-operated Winterfell Field, the Winterfell-5 well, which spudded in April, had to be temporarily abandoned last month due to problems with the production casing. The partners are examining the cause as they seek to restore production from the fault block.

GTA domestic gas plans advance

Offshore Mauritania and Senegal, Kosmos and operator bp are planning ahead for Phase 1+ of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas-condensate development. This will connect to the existing infrastructure for sales to domestic markets in the two countries, initially for power generation. 

The partnership aims to wrap up heads of terms agreements for domestic gas sales later this year. An onshore power plant is currently under construction near Saint Louis in Senegal, with installation of the associated gas pipeline network due to begin shortly following the arrival of pipes from China. The pipeline will transport gas from the GTA hub terminal for domestic power generation.

In Mauritania, the government has signed a 25-year agreement with a Saudi Arabian power company to develop, finance and operate a 230-MW gas-fired power plant in N'Diago, using gas supplied from the GTA Field.

Jubilee drilling campaign boosts output

Offshore Ghana at the Tullow Oil-operated deepwater Jubilee Field (Kosmos 38.6%), the newly drilled J76 and J77 wells came online in June and July, with initial performance at the high end of expectations. 

J50, a completion of a previously drilled well, is due online in the next few days and should lift production from Jubilee to >90,000 bbl/d.

The campaign will conclude once the currently drilling new water injector goes online at the end of September. The partners aim to secure a rig for their 2027/28 campaign of up to 10 wells, starting in mid-2027.