In the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GoM), the existing pipeline and platform infrastructure have made tie-back opportunities a preferred way to optimise cost and commercialise discoveries.

An average daily production of 0.66 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) is expected to be added to the US oil supply by 2023, from 30 upcoming projects, of which 23 are developed as tie-backs, with over US$67.4 billion of total capital expenditures (capex) spent.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Tie-back developments require on average a development capex per barrel (bbl) of US$9.64 compared to US$14.76 on average for other type of developments and their payback is quicker.

Tie-back developments have always been development options in the GoM for fields that were uneconomical with a standalone platform. Fields that are developed as tie-backs are smaller in scale than those developed with other facility types, have lower recoverable reserves, most of them below 100 million bbl and are mainly located in the proximity of the processing platform (less than 20 miles).

IRR and breakeven oil price by facility type

Source: Upstream Analytics                                                                                                                                                                                     © GlobalData

The current trend in GoM is in developing fields with smaller reserves. This is also supported by the fact that fewer fields with larger reserves are being discovered. As a result the trend of using subsea system as preferred development method for small reservoirs will continue. Moreover, as fields are entering mature stages in the GoM more processing capacity becomes available and even when platform upgrades are needed to tie-back a field, this is usually less expensive than the cost of building a new platform.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

 

For more insight and data, visit the GlobalData Report Store – Offshore Technology is part of GlobalData Plc.