Rydberg (MC525) - Shell

  • Type: Rig
  • asset
  • Latitude: 28.4556347
  • Longitude: -87.9529584

Location

The Rydberg project is located within the Mississippi Canyon in the Norphlet Corridor of the US Gulf of Mexico, approximately 75 miles off the coast of Louisiana. The site is in ultra-deepwater, with a water depth of about 7,450 feet (2,273 meters).

Ownership and Operation

Shell Offshore Inc., a subsidiary of Shell plc, operates the Rydberg project. Shell holds an 80% working interest in the leases, while China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) owns the remaining 20%.

Development Concept

Rydberg is developed as a subsea tie-back to the Shell-operated Appomattox production hub. The project includes two production wells that are connected to the Appomattox hub via a single insulated 12-mile (19 km) flowline and a dynamic umbilical.

Production

Production at Rydberg commenced in February 2024, with an estimated peak production of 16,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d).

Resource Estimates

The current estimated recoverable resource volumes for Rydberg are approximately 38 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe). These estimates are classified as 2P (proved plus probable) under the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Resource Classification System. The estimated peak production and recoverable resources are presented as 100% total gross figures.

Significance and Impact

Rydberg is expected to further boost production in the Norphlet Corridor at Appomattox, which is consistently one of Shell's highest-producing assets. The project aligns with Shell's strategy to meet current and future energy demands while continuing to mature the best opportunities for growth in the Gulf of Mexico.

Environmental and Operational Notes

Shell claims that its production in the US Gulf of Mexico, including the Rydberg project, has among the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity in the world compared to other International Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) members.

Final Investment Decision (FID)

The Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Rydberg project was approved in 2022, marking a significant step towards the project's development and production start.

Flag Name Type Date
AVERY ISLAND Cargo 11/2/2024
PECAN ISLAND Cargo 11/1/2024
DEEPWATER PROTEUS baycraft 10/31/2024
AVERY ISLAND Cargo 9/12/2024
Accept Reject