As part of sustainability-driven initiatives to expand domestic energy production in the US Gulf of America, bp has started up the Argos Southwest Extension project.
This development is the first of a decade-long initiative by the oil major.
The project will generate an additional 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day of gross peak annualised average production at the existing Argos platform. Argos, which began production in 2023, is bp’s fifth operated production platform in the Gulf of America with a gross production capacity of up to 140,000 barrels of oil per day.
“The Argos expansion underpins our commitment to investing in America, growing our US offshore energy production safely and efficiently,” said Andy Krieger, bp’s senior vice president for the Gulf of America and Canada. “This project also kicks off a period of significant growth for bp in the Gulf of America, which will continue to play a critical role in delivering secure and reliable energy the world needs today and tomorrow.”
The Argos Southwest Extension project will add three wells and include a new drill center roughly 5 miles southwest of Argos. The subsea tieback, which connects new wells to existing offshore production facilities through pipelines, will extend the footprint of the Mad Dog field discovered in 1998.
The Argos Southwest Extension project was delivered seven months ahead of schedule by implementing concurrent workstreams, optimising project management and engaging in early procurement.
“Argos’ expansion project demonstrates how bp can swiftly bring new barrels to market safely and efficiently,” said Gordon Birrell, bp’s executive vice president of production and operations. “Our ability to move from resource discovery to first oil at record pace underscores our relentless pursuit to grow shareholder value.”
Following Argos Southwest Extension, bp plans to deliver two additional expansion projects in the Gulf of America by 2027.
