Dolphin Deep
- Type: Rig
- field
- Latitude: 10.2300000
- Longitude: -60.2260000
Location
The Dolphin Deep field is situated in block 5a of the East Coast Marine Area (ECMA), approximately 84 kilometers (52 miles) off the east coast of Trinidad.
Discovery and Development
The Dolphin Deep field was discovered in 1998. The development involves two wells with subsea completions that are tied back to the existing Dolphin platform.
Operators and Partners
The project is operated by the BG Group (now part of Shell), in partnership with ChevronTexaco Trinidad and Tobago Resources (now part of Chevron).
Production
The first natural gas from the Dolphin Deep development was delivered on July 21, 2006. The field is expected to produce an average of 220 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of natural gas. This gas is transported via a 610-mm (24-inch), 97-kilometer (60-mile) pipeline to the onshore Beachfield gas processing facility. From there, it is delivered to the Atlantic LNG (ALNG) Train 3 and Train 4 processing facility in Point Fortin, Trinidad, through the state-owned Cross Island Pipeline.
Supply Contracts
The gas produced from the Dolphin Deep field, along with other fields in the ECMA, is contracted to supply up to 275 MMcf/d to the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) under a 20-year supply contract. Specifically, the ECMA is scheduled to supply 80 MMcf/d to Train 3 and 120 MMcf/d to Train 4 of the ALNG facility.
Combined Development Plan
The gas reserves from the Dolphin Deep and other nearby discoveries, such as the Starfish field, are to be produced under a Combined Development Plan for blocks 5(a), 6, and E. This plan involves upgrading facilities on the Dolphin platform to accommodate the increased production.
Milestones and Achievements
The project was completed ahead of schedule and within budget. The startup of Train 4 at the ALNG facility enhanced the benefits from Trinidad and Tobago's indigenous hydrocarbon reserves. The project marked the first subsea development in Trinidad and Tobago and contributed to BG Group's supply rights in Atlantic LNG, which is a significant supplier of LNG to the USA.
Future Expansion
BG Group and its partners continued to invest in LNG expansion and sought to develop upstream opportunities to supply the capacity in Atlantic LNG. The successful delivery of gas from the Dolphin Deep development underscored the commitment of the partners to growing the LNG business in Trinidad and Tobago and the broader Latin American region.