Gulf of Mexico Shuttle Tanker Study

Forecast of Shuttle Tanker Requirements for the Gulf of Mexico

an assessment of production start-ups in ultra-deepwater over the next ten years, the need for shuttle tankers to transport oil and the ability of industry to supply the ships

Spring 2001 - $1,200 per copy

Ultra-deepwater Gulf of Mexico Poised for Take-off

There's great expectation that Gulf of Mexico ultra-deepwater plays offer vast potential. More than 1,650 leases in water depths exceeding 5,000 ft. are now active, 5 ultra-deepwater fields are being developed, 140 wells have been spudded, 80 applications for drilling permits filed and 100 drill plans submitted. But exploration and development in the ultra-deepwater Gulf of Mexico is only beginning and, with 24 deepwater drill rigs now operating in the Gulf, the pace of E&D is about to soar.

But Transport Remains An Issue

Until now, pipeline has been used to transport oil from fields in the Gulf of Mexico to refineries along the Gulf. There are almost 27,000 miles of pipeline infrastructure on the Gulf seabed. But many of the ultra-deepwater fields are remote from existing infrastructure and topography of the seabed beyond the shelf is rugged and presents pipeline installation issues. There is also a major issue of flow assurance in ultra-deepwater oil pipelines. As a result, shuttle tankers may be the low cost solution for transporting oil from many of the remote ultra-deepwater fields in the Gulf of Mexico.

Distance from Infrastructure and Seabed Conditions at Ultra-Deepwater Development Sites

New IMA Study Assesses the Need for Transport and Future Role of Pipeline and ShuttleTankers

A new study by IMA provides a realistic projection of ultra-deepwater development over the next ten years. It identifies 170 specific ultra-deepwater sites considered priority prospects for exploration and potential development. Transport cost per barrel utilizing pipeline vs. shuttle tanker at varying distances from infrastructure in different seabed conditions is estimated. The breakeven distance at which shuttle tanker becomes the low cost transport option is delineated and the 170 sites are segmented into those suited to shuttle tanker and those suited to pipeline transport. A forecast is then made of the number of shuttle tankers required to service future producing ultra-deepwater fields and the timing of when these tankers will be required. Proposed shuttle tanker designs, capability of the U.S. shipbuilding industry to build the ships and financing options for ship construction are explored. The study outline and list of exhibits are attached.

Shuttle Tankers Required in the Gulf of Mexico Through 2010

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click here for outline

click here for list of exhibits