Fourier/Sumter (MC522) - BP

Location

• The Fourier/Sumter project is located in the Mississippi Canyon area of the northern deep-water Gulf of Mexico. Specifically, it is situated in the Mississippi Canyon protraction area, which is one of the major geologic provinces in this region.

Geologic Setting

• The project area falls within the complex geological setting of the northern deep-water Gulf of Mexico, characterized by numerous extensional and contractional structures. These structures create potential traps for hydrocarbon accumulation.
• The region has undergone significant tectonic activity, with interactions between Mesozoic–Cenozoic sedimentation and tectonics shaping the current geologic provinces, including Basins, Subsalt, Fold Belt, and Abyssal Plain.

Reservoir Ages and Trap Types

• The reservoirs in this area are typically from various geological ages, including Upper Jurassic, upper Paleocene–lower Eocene, Oligocene, and lower Miocene–upper Pleistocene. The specific reservoir age for the Fourier/Sumter project would need to be identified, but it likely falls within one of these ranges.
• The traps in this region can be structural, combined structural-stratigraphic, or stratigraphic. The Fourier/Sumter project would likely involve one or more of these trap types.

Source Rocks

• The source rocks for the hydrocarbons in this area are interpreted to be from the Upper Jurassic and possibly Lower Cretaceous periods. These source rocks have been identified through various wells that have penetrated them, including some in the Mississippi Canyon area.

Exploration and Development History

• The exploration and development of the Fourier/Sumter project would have involved advanced seismic acquisition and processing technologies, given the complex geology of the area. Improvements in these technologies have been crucial for understanding the geology and identifying potential hydrocarbon reservoirs.
• Drilling and field development in the northern deep-water Gulf of Mexico have been facilitated by advances in drilling technology, allowing for operations in increasingly greater water depths.

Field Details

• Field Name: Fourier/Sumter (MC522)
• Operator: BP
• Location: Mississippi Canyon, northern deep-water Gulf of Mexico
• Reservoir Age: Likely Upper Jurassic, upper Paleocene–lower Eocene, Oligocene, or lower Miocene–upper Pleistocene
• Trap Type: Structural, combined structural-stratigraphic, or stratigraphic
• Source Rocks: Upper Jurassic and possibly Lower Cretaceous
• Water Depth: Significant, given the deep-water nature of the project
• Production Facilities: Details on the specific producing facilities, such as platforms or subsea systems, would need to be obtained from BP's operational reports or industry publications.

Technological and Operational Aspects

• The project would have utilized advanced seismic and drilling technologies to explore and develop the field.
• The development would involve subsea production systems or deep-water platforms, given the water depth and the complexity of the geology.

Economic and Environmental Considerations

• The economic viability of the project would depend on the size of the hydrocarbon reserves, production costs, and market conditions.
• Environmental considerations would be significant, given the sensitive marine ecosystem of the deep-water Gulf of Mexico. BP would need to adhere to stringent environmental regulations and best practices to minimize the project's environmental impact.