The BHP (BHP) Board has today approved $696M in funding to develop the Atlantis Phase 3 project in the US Gulf of Mexico. This follows sanction by BP (BP), as the Operator, of the Atlantis Phase 3 project, announced in January 2019. Atlantis Phase 3 is located in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, approximately 130 miles off the coast of Louisiana. The Project is a subsea tie back of eight new production wells that will be drilled and completed to access infill resource opportunities. It will take advantage of existing infrastructure, production ullage and marketing agreements. First production is expected in the 2020 calendar year and is estimated to increase production by ~38,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day gross at its peak. BHP holds a 44% interest in the Atlantis field. BP holds a 56% interest. The BHP Board has also approved $256M in funding to drill an additional appraisal well and perform further studies in the Trion field in Mexico, to further delineate the scale and characterization of the resource.The primary objectives of the 3DEL appraisal well and studies are to confirm the volume and composition of hydrocarbons near the crest of the Trion structure, and study the viability of development of the Trion field. The approved funds are within the forecast BHP exploration and appraisal expenditure budget. The 3DEL appraisal well is expected to be drilled in the second half of the 2019 calendar year. BHP holds a 60% interest and operatorship in Trion. PEMEX holds a 40% interest.
