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Whale

Whale is a deepwater semi-submersible floating production platform under development in Alaminos Canyon Block 773 in the Gulf of Mexico. It is designed to produce oil and gas from Lower Tertiary reservoirs and will function as a standalone host facility with pipeline export.

Operator: Shell

Status: Under construction

Whale platform photo

Image Source: Shell (All rights belong to the original owner.)

Production: Oil & Gas

Operations start: 2024

Water depth: 2621 m

Country: USA - Lake Jackson District

Block: MINOS CANYON 60. Block 773

Type: Semi-sub

Field

The Whale Field is located in the Perdido Foldbelt area of the western Gulf of Mexico. Reservoirs are Wilcox (Lower Tertiary) sandstones characterised by high pressures and complex geology. The field is large in scale and represents a significant ultra-deepwater development.

Facilities

The Whale development is based on a semi-submersible floating production unit designed for high-capacity processing. Subsea wells will be tied back via long-distance flowlines and risers. The facility will include multi-stage separation, oil stabilization, and high-pressure gas compression systems. Oil is planned to be exported via a new pipeline system connecting into the existing Perdido/HOOPS corridor, while gas export will tie into regional transmission infrastructure. Produced water handling systems will include treatment and disposal. The facility will incorporate water injection systems for reservoir pressure support. Power generation will be provided by gas turbines. Subsea infrastructure will include manifolds and control umbilicals. The design reflects lessons from Perdido, with emphasis on ultra-deepwater reliability and high-pressure capability.

Whale layout
Image Source: "Chevron Taps Worley for Ballymore Tie-Back Work in Gulf of Mexico" - Offshore Engineer [https://www.oedigital.com/] (All rights belong to the original owner.)

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