Shell: A Ram-Powell Update
Shell Exploration & Production Co. and its partners, Amoco Corp. and Exxon Corp., have installed a tension leg platform (TLP) in 3,214 ft. of water. Ram-Powell established a new world's water depth record for an oil and gas production platform — a record previously held by Shell's Mars TLP in 2,940 ft. of water.
"Ram-Powell is our third tension leg platform to be installed in the Gulf of Mexico in a little over three years," said Rich Pattarozzi, president and CEO of Shell Deepwater Development Inc. "This is a significant accomplishment of which we are very proud.
By applying our learnings from previous deepwater TLP designs, construction and installations, we have been able to continue to reduce the time required to bring these projects on line and to lower total project costs." Production began in September 1997. Daily production is expected to climb to design capacity of 60,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic ft. of gas per day by early 1998. Estimated ultimate recovery from the development is about 250 million barrels of oil equivalent. Shell is operator of the Ram- Powell project and holds a 38 percent interest in the project. Amoco and Exxon each have a 31 percent interest.
Exploration & Discovery The Ram-Powell Unit encompasses eight OCS leases in the Viosca Knoll Area, located in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 125 miles east/southeast of New Orleans and approximately 80 miles south of Mobile, Ala. in water depths ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 ft. The leases were acquired for a total bonus of $16,169,000. Shell is the operator and has a 38 percent interest in the project.
In January 1995 Shell announced the partners' plans to develop Ram-Powell utilizing a tension leg platform (TLP) to be installed on Block 956 in 3,214 ft. of water. Estimated gross recovery from the planned development is about 250 million barrels of oil equivalent, with a 50/50 oil/gas ratio. The total project cost is expected to be approximately $1 billion, excluding lease costs. Production began in September 1997, and the facilities are designed for peak gross production of about 60,000 bpd and 200 million cu. ft. of natural gas per day.
Production from the platform will be transported approximately 25 miles via a 12-in. diameter oil pipeline to Main Pass 289C and a 14-in. gas pipeline to Viosca Knoll 817.
