Genesis (GC205) - Talos

Location

The Genesis field is situated approximately 150 miles south of New Orleans, spanning across the Green Canyon blocks 160, 161, and 205 in the Gulf of Mexico.

Water Depth and Geology

The field is in an area with water depths ranging from 2,500 feet to 3,000 feet. It is part of the Viosca Knoll Carbonate Trend.

Reserves and Production

The Genesis field contains reserves of approximately 160 million barrels of oil. During flow tests, the field produced at rates of up to 8,300 barrels per day. Peak production is expected to reach about 55,000 barrels of oil and 72 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

Engineering and Design

The project was developed in two engineering phases: front-end engineering (FEE) and detailed engineering. The FEE phase included preparation of installation plans, electrical lines, equipment arrangement, and cost estimates. The detailed engineering phase covered the deck’s structural design, piping, electrical and instrumentation design, requisition, inspection, and hook-up through to start-up.

Platform and Hull Design

The Genesis production facility is supported by a cylindrical steel spar, which is the world’s first drilling/production spar. The spar is 122 feet in diameter and 705 feet tall, manufactured in two halves at Aker Rauma’s Pori yard in Finland. The hull incorporates a 58-foot by 58-foot well bay at its center, accommodating up to 20 well slots. The spar is moored in 2,600 feet of water, with air-filled compartments providing buoyancy and seawater-filled tanks at the bottom for weight and stability.

Topsides

The topsides of the platform were fabricated at McDermott’s Morgan City facility in Louisiana. The deck surface area is about 100,000 square feet, spread across three levels (each 175 feet by 175 feet). The topsides consist of 5,150 tons of structural steel, 2,600 tons of production equipment, and 945 tons of interconnecting piping, electrical lines, and instrumentation. The fabrication contract included mechanical completion, commissioning, loadout, and tiedown. The topsides were fabricated as two units: the production deck and the drill/utility deck.

Riser System

The riser system includes production, export, and drilling risers, all run with a platform drilling rig. The system can support up to 20 production risers, two export pipeline risers, and one drilling riser. Each riser is approximately 2,650 feet long, extending from the seafloor wellheads to the topsides. The 20 subsea wellheads and two export riser bases are arranged in a 140-foot-diameter circle with 20 feet of spacing.

Current Ownership and Operations

The Genesis field is currently operated by Talos Energy, following their involvement in the region. Talos Energy has expanded its presence in the Gulf of Mexico through strategic acquisitions, including the recent acquisition of QuarterNorth Energy, which has enhanced their operational breadth and production profile.

Production and Reserves Contribution

While the specific current production figures for the Genesis field alone are not detailed in the recent sources, it is part of Talos Energy's broader portfolio that includes several prolific offshore fields. The overall production and reserves from Talos Energy's assets, including those from QuarterNorth Energy, contribute to a significant presence in the Gulf of Mexico.

In summary, the Genesis (GC205) project is a technologically advanced offshore oil and gas field, characterized by its innovative spar design, substantial reserves, and significant production capabilities, now integrated into Talos Energy's extensive operations in the Gulf of Mexico.