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Shell announces plans to develop in the ultra deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico


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26/10/2006 - Shell Offshore Inc. (Shell) announced today that it will develop the Great White, Tobago and Silvertip Fields via a Perdido Regional Development host, located in Alaminos Canyon, offshore Gulf of Mexico, approximately 200 miles south of Freeport, TX. Moored in about 8,000 feet of water, the regional DVA (direct vertical access) spar will be the deepest spar production facility in the world. First production from Perdido is expected around the turn of the decade, with the facility capable of handling 130,000 boe/d.



The concept for regional development includes a common processing hub in Alaminos Canyon Block 857 near the Great White discovery that incorporates drilling capability and functionality to gather, process and export production within a 30-mile radius of the facility. This concept will provide regional synergies, reduced cost and lower risk. This regional concept will also reduce the number and size of the facilities and operations in this challenging frontier area, resulting in a lower environmental impact than would otherwise be achieved.



“The Perdido Foldbelt is remote and is located in ultradeep waters from about 7,500 - 10,000 feet, with rugged seafloor terrain,” explained Marvin Odum, Executive Vice President, EP Americas. “This geologic setting is different from what has previously been produced in the Gulf of Mexico and will establish the first production from the Lower Tertiary (Paleogene) play in the Gulf of Mexico. Shell has been a leader in the opening of this play, starting with exploration in the 1990’s, and is proud to be at the leading edge of development and production. To accomplish this record-breaking feat, we will apply cutting-edge technology, engineering expertise and industry leadership"



Shell was at the forefront of opening up the Lower Tertiary play in the western deepwater Gulf of Mexico with the Great White discovery in Alaminos Canyon and will be the first to bring production from this area to market. Shell, as operator, commenced exploratory drilling operations on March 6, 2002, in 8,009 feet of water. The well reached its final total depth on May 18, 2002. The original well was drilled to a true vertical depth of 14,405 feet. An appraisal well was drilled to a true vertical depth of 15,035 feet in 2002. Shell has drilled a total of five wells at Great White, with the most recent spud occurring in March 2004.

Shell will operate the Perdido Regional Host. It will be jointly owned by Shell (35%), Chevron (37.5%) and BP (27.5%). Great White is located in Alaminos Canyon 812, 813, 814, 857, 900 and 901 and is owned by Shell (operator) with 33.34%, Chevron with 33.33% and BP with 33.33%.



Tobago is located in Alaminos Canyon 859 in approximately 9,600 feet of water. It is operated by Shell with 32.5%, Chevron with 57.5%, and Nexen with 10%. The discovery well was drilled in 2004 to a total depth of 18,510 feet. A sidetrack well was drilled to 18,425 feet.



Silvertip, in Alaminos Canyon 815, is operated by Shell with 40% interest. Chevron holds the remaining 60%. Chevron drilled the AC 815 #1 discovery well in August 2004 in approximately 9,200 feet of water, to a total depth of 14,778 feet.








Disclaimer Statement

This document contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ‘‘anticipate’’, ‘‘believe’’, ‘‘could’’, ‘‘estimate’’, ‘‘expect’’, ‘‘intend’’, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘plan’’, ‘‘objectives’’, ‘‘outlook’’, ‘‘probably’’, ‘‘project’’, ‘‘will’’, ‘‘seek’’, ‘‘target’’, ‘‘risks’’, ‘‘goals’’, ‘‘should’’ and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this Report, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for the Group’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserve estimates; (f) loss of market and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including potential litigation and regulatory effects arising from recategorisation of reserves; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, project delay or advancement, approvals and cost estimates; and (m) changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this presentation. Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this document.


The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves that a company has demonstrated by actual production or conclusive formation tests to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions. We use certain terms in this presentation, such as “oil in place" that the SEC’s guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575 and disclosure in our Forms 6-K file No, 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov - opens in new window. You can also obtain these forms from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.



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