The Thunder Horse Field is located in 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) water depth in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Thunder Horse is a giant field that will set new benchmarks with respect to scale, cycle time, and several technical features in the region. General characteristics influencing the development of this deep hightemperature, high-pressure field are outlined. The field development approach, based on subsea completions and a large, permanently moored semisubmersible Production Drilling Quarters (PDQ) platform, is discussed. Environmental conditions in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico are briefly compared with other deepwater development locations. Driving elements in concept selection are then reviewed against that context. An outline discussion of the distinctive design features and related technical challenges is presented for all the major components of the development system. Finally, an overview of the project execution plan for the large semisubmersible production and drilling platform is given. Ongoing contributions of the many members of the Thunder Horse team worldwide are gratefully acknowledged.
The Thunder Horse development is located in the Mississippi Canyon area of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico about 150 miles (240 kilometres) southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana. Water depth in the area ranges from 5,800 to 6,500 feet (1,768 to 1,981 metres). The initial Thunder Horse discovery well (MC778 #1) was completed on July 4, 1999. BP America Inc. holds a 75% working interest in 8 contiguous blocks that make up the greater Thunder Horse development area.
ExxonMobil Inc. owns the remaining 25% interest.
At the time of this report, 5 exploration and appraisal penetrations have been completed in the field. The partners have announced discoveries that total an estimated 1.5 Billion Barrels of Oil Equivalent (Recoverable). Thunder Horse is, therefore, the largest find in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and among the largest deepwater fields yet discovered worldwide. Figure 1 provides a colourful view of the subsurface structures that constitute Thunder Horse. The salt dome is a distinctive feature in the area and can be seen as the light blue-topped extrusion.
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Figure 1: Thunder Horse Subsurface Representation Development of Thunder Horse is a significant challenge, in terms of both technology and project execution. Challenges arise from the following distinctive features that characterize the area:
Overhanging and abutting salt layers
Elongated shape (~12 miles or 19 kilometres in the longest lateral dimension)
Deep Drilling (in excess of 25,000 feet or 7,620 metres vertical depth below sea surface)
High Temperature and
