According to Rystad Energy’s statement, the oil production in the US Gulf of Mexico is poised to set new records in the imminent future. The GoM oil production was a mere 1.28 million bpd in 2013, whereas in 2018 production averaged a record high of 1.79 million bpd.
Specifically, the company forecasts that in 2019, the production will average 1.95 million bpd, along with some months touching the 2 million bpd ceiling.
Shell started production from its floating production platform, Appomattox, in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico earlier this month. The platforms production rose at an unprecedented speed, months ahead of its expected start up in Q3 in 2019.
Joachim Milling Gregersen, analyst on Rystad Energy’s upstream team commented
With earlier than planned production, Appomattox will be a key growth contributor to help push U.S. Gulf of Mexico oil production toward a new record high before year-end.
In addition, plateau production will be about 140,000 boe per day, whereas Shell supports that it expects the production to reach the 175,000 boe per day.
Shell is one of the operators of the project, holding the 75% stake, whereas China’s CNOOC owns 21%.
Mr Gregersen concluded
The torch has been carried by large deepwater fields, of which Appomattox is the latest contribution.