Anchor (GC807) - Chevron

Project Overview

The Anchor (GC807) project, operated by Chevron, is a significant oil and gas development located in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Location

The Anchor field is situated in the southern portion of the Green Canyon protraction area, approximately 140 miles (225 km) offshore Louisiana, in water depths of about 5,000 feet (1,524 meters).

Discovery and Development

• The field was discovered by Chevron in December 2014 on block GC807.
• Following the discovery, Chevron drilled two appraisal wells to confirm reservoir productivity and recoverable reserves, estimating at least 440 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) of total recoverable resources.

Project Details

Status and Ownership

• The project is currently in production, having started in August 2024.
• Chevron U.S.A. Inc. is the operator with a 62.86% working interest, while TotalEnergies E&P USA, Inc. holds a 37.14% working interest.

Reservoir Characteristics

• The reservoir is located in the Lower Tertiary Wilcox formation, approximately 34,000 feet (10,300 meters) below the mudline.
• It is an ultra-high-pressure reservoir, requiring production equipment capable of operating at up to 20,000 psi.

Production Capacity

• The semi-submersible floating production unit (FPU) has a design capacity of 75,000 gross barrels of oil per day and 28 million gross cubic feet of natural gas per day.

Infrastructure

• The development includes seven subsea production wells tied back to the Anchor FPU.
• The FPU is an all-electric facility, utilizing electric motors and electronic controls, and incorporates waste heat and vapor recovery units to reduce carbon emissions.

Technical Innovations

• The Anchor project is the first deepwater development to deploy 20,000-psi technology, marking a significant technological advancement in the industry.

Economic and Environmental Aspects

• The project was sanctioned with a $5.7 billion investment in December 2019, reflecting Chevron's efforts to reduce development costs in the Gulf of Mexico.
• The facility is designed to produce for up to 30 years and is expected to contribute to the economic activity of Gulf Coast communities while providing lower carbon intensity oil and natural gas.

Production and Reserves

• The estimated total recoverable resources from the Anchor field are up to 440 MMboe.
• The production design capacity includes 27.38 million barrels of oil per year and 289.4 million cubic meters of gas per year.

Physical Characteristics of the FPU

• The FPU area is 42,080 square feet and stands 25 stories high, taller than the Statue of Liberty.
• The topsides operating weight, including the integrated truss deck, is approximately 17,000 metric tons, while the hull lightship weight is about 20,000 metric tons, displacing 69,500 metric tons at a 35-meter operating draft.

Phased Development

• The Anchor development is staged, with the initial phase targeting the southern fault block of the reservoir and the second phase targeting the northern fault block with a four-well drill center.

This project represents a significant milestone in deepwater oil and gas production, showcasing Chevron's commitment to technological innovation and sustainable energy production.