Tonto

Location

The Tonto oil field is located in the Central North Sea, approximately in the area of the Forties field, which is about 116 miles northeast of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Discovery and Production

• The Tonto oil field was brought into production in April 2013.
• The first producing well, Tonto-1, was drilled as a deviated well from the Forties Bravo production platform, targeting the area just above the main Forties Paleocene reservoir.

Production Rates

• The initial production rate of the Tonto-1 well was 10,346 barrels of oil per day.

Development Context

• The Tonto field is part of Apache's broader expansion in the North Sea, following the company's acquisition of the Forties field from BP in 2003 and subsequent acquisitions from ExxonMobil in 2012.
• The field is one of several new developments in the Forties area, along with the Bacchus and Maule fields, all of which qualify for the UK Government’s small field allowance.

Infrastructure

• The production from the Tonto field is supported by the existing infrastructure of the Forties field, including the Forties Alpha platform.
• The installation of the Forties Alpha Satellite Platform (FASP) in May 2013 further enhanced the production capacity of the area, providing additional drilling slots and processing capabilities.

Operational Efficiency

• Apache is known for its low operating costs and high operational efficiency in the North Sea, with an annual average efficiency of over 92% in 2012 and operating costs of $13.50 per barrel.

Environmental and Safety Performance

• The project has been complemented by top quartile safety and environmental performance, reflecting Apache's commitment to responsible and sustainable operations.

Economic Impact

• The Tonto field, along with other new developments in the area, has contributed to a significant increase in Apache's production in the North Sea, making the company the fifth largest producer in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

Overall, the Tonto oil project represents a successful example of Apache's strategic expansion and efficient operations in the North Sea, contributing to the company's growth and revenue.