Ram-Powell (VK956) - Talos Petroleum

Profile for Ram-Powell (VK956) - Talos Petroleum Oil and Gas Asset

Location

The Ram-Powell oil and gas field is located in the Federal offshore waters of the United States, specifically in the Viosca Knoll area of the Gulf of Mexico. It is approximately 125 miles southeast of New Orleans and around 80 miles south of Mobile, Alabama, in water depths ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet.

Coordinates

The exact coordinates for the Ram-Powell asset are 29.0652, -88.0692 (WGS 84).

Discovery and Development

• The discovery well was drilled on Viosca Knoll block 912 in May 1985 using the drillship Discoverer Seven Seas.
• Between 1985 and 1989, several exploratory wells were drilled by Shell, Amoco, and Exxon, and one production test was conducted.

Project Details

Operator and Ownership

• The asset is currently operated by Talos Petroleum, although it was initially developed by a consortium including Shell, Amoco, and Exxon. Talos acquired the asset in 2018.

Production Start

• The exact production start year is not specified, but the facility has been in operation for several decades, with significant production milestones achieved over the years.

Reserves

• As of 2019, the remaining reserves were estimated at 673.93 million cubic meters of gas and 4.8 million barrels of oil.
• The estimated ultimate recovery from the development is about 250 million barrels of oil equivalent, with a 50:50 oil/gas ratio.

Production

• Cumulative production as of 2019 included 102.5 million barrels of oil and 26,042.76 million cubic meters of gas.
• Annual production rates have varied, with 0.53 million barrels of oil and 56.79 million cubic meters of gas per year in 2020, and 0.67 million barrels of oil and 70.93 million cubic meters of gas per year in 2022.

Infrastructure

Ram Powell TLP

• The Ram Powell Tension Leg Platform (TLP) is a significant component of the project. It was designed and engineered by a joint team from Shell, Amoco, and Exxon, with support from outside contractors.
• The TLP is 3,570 feet high from the seafloor to the crown block of the drilling rig and was designed to withstand hurricane-force waves.

Hull and Deck

• The hull was fabricated by Belleli SpA in Taranto, Italy, and consists of four circular steel columns connected by a ring pontoon structure. It weighs approximately 15,000 tons.
• The modular deck was built by McDermott International and features an open truss/deep girder design. It measures 245 feet x 245 feet and stands 40 feet high, weighing about 8,100 tons.

Tendons and Piles

• The TLP is secured by 12 tendons, each 3,145 feet long, and 12 piles, each 84 inches in diameter and 349 feet long.

Drilling and Production Facilities

• The platform supports a single modified API Helmlich & Payne platform-type drilling rig and contains complete separation, dehydration, and treatment facilities for oil, condensate, and gas.

Recent Developments

Lime Rock and Venice Discoveries

• Talos Energy has recently started production at the Lime Rock and Venice discoveries, located near the Ram Powell platform. These discoveries were brought online in late December 2023 and have achieved an initial combined gross production rate of over 18,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
• The estimated combined gross ultimate recoverable resources of these two discoveries are approximately 20 to 30 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Production Impact

• The production from these new discoveries is expected to bring the Ram Powell facility's production rates to levels last seen about 15 years ago.

Environmental and Operational Efficiency

• Talos Energy is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity, with the Gulf of Mexico operations having one of the lowest GHG intensities worldwide. The company aims to lower its operated emissions and has implemented various strategies to achieve this goal.

In summary, the Ram-Powell (VK956) - Talos Petroleum Oil and Gas Asset is a significant offshore production facility in the Gulf of Mexico, known for its advanced infrastructure and recent production enhancements through new discoveries like Lime Rock and Venice. The asset continues to play a crucial role in Talos Energy's strategy to maximize long-term value through efficient and sustainable operations.