LLOG-led partners sanction Who Dat East subsea tieback in Gulf of Mexico

The Who Dat joint venture has approved the final investment decision (FID) on the Who Dat East development in the US Gulf.
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Aug. 12, 2026
2 min read
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Why this news matters:

  • Subsea tiebacks continue to be one of the most economical ways to develop smaller Gulf of Mexico discoveries.

  • Who Dat East demonstrates how existing offshore hubs can unlock new reserves while minimizing development costs and execution risk.

 

Courtesy Karoon Energy
Who Dat FPS

The Who Dat floating production system (FPS) will serve as the host facility for the sanctioned Who Dat East development, which will be tied back via a 29-km subsea pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico.

Project snapshot:

  • Location: Mississippi Canyon Block 509-1, Gulf of Mexico

  • Operator: LLOG-led partnership 

  • Water depth: 1,300 m 

  • Development: Single-well tieback to Who Dat FPS

  • Tieback length: 29 km 

  • First production: Second-half 2028 

  • Karoon investment: $155 million-$165 million

  • Karoon net production: ~6,500 bbl/d liquids; 50 MMcf/d gas

Karoon Energy has confirmed that the LLOG-led partnership has sanctioned development of the Who Dat East Field in the US Gulf.

The location is in lease MC 509-1 in 1,300 m water depth. 

The Who Dat East project is operated by LLOG Exploration (40%), with Karoon USA holding 40% and Westlawn Americas Offshore holding the remaining 20%.

Development involves completion of the 2024 Who Dat East discovery well, construction of a 29-km subsea export pipeline to the Who Dat floating production system, installation of subsea controls, and associated upgrades to the platform.

Karoon estimates its 40% share of development costs at $155 million-$165 million, implying a gross project investment of roughly $390 million-$413 million based on partner working interests.

Production is due to start during the second half of 2028, at a rate of about 6,500 bbl/d of liquids and 50 MMcf/d of gas.

Production will be co-mingled, transported and processed through existing Who Dat infrastructure for delivery to the same markets. This eliminates the need for a standalone host facility and reduces both development costs and project execution time. Such subsea tieback developments have become a common strategy in the US Gulf as operators seek to monetize smaller discoveries while maximizing utilization of existing assets.

Courtesy Karoon Energy
Who Dat map

Who Dat East, discovered in Mississippi Canyon Block 509, will be developed through an 18-mile (29-km) subsea tieback to the existing Who Dat FPS, leveraging existing Gulf of Mexico infrastructure to accelerate first production.

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About the Author

Jeremy Beckman
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Jeremy Beckman

Staff Writer / Editor, Europe

Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.

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