Talos steps up GoM exploration, development schedule

HOUSTON — Talos Energy expects to take delivery of the Seadrill Sevan Louisiana deepwater drilling vessel in mid-August.

The rig will perform six operations for the company over the remainder half of this year and first half of 2023, four of which will target 65 MMboe to 100 MMboe from exploration of prospects that could be tied into the company’s operated facilities in the US Gulf of Mexico for fast-track subsea developments.

First to spud will be a well on the Lime Rock prospect, followed by a deepwater recompletion.

Prior to initiating the rig program, Talos attracted partners for the Lime Rock, Venice and Rigolets ventures and now has a 60% working interest in each of the projects

If all goes to plan, all the wells could produce 5 MMboe/d to 15 MMboe/d with an anticipated timeline to first oil between 12 and 18 months.

Talos also expects operator bp to spud the Puma West appraisal well early this fall, with results expected by early 2023.

The Diamond Offshore drillship Ocean BlackHornet, currently working for bp on the Gunflint Field, will drill the well to a depth of about 26,700 ft.

By year-end 2022, Talos expects operations to start on the MC 992 #1 sidetrack well, and it is working with a large (unnamed) industry partner to finalize a five-block exploration unit, comprising 28,800 acres in the Walker Ridge and Green Canyon areas.

A well should follow on a high-impact exploration prospect in the first half of 2023.

The company’s recent Seville well failed to discover commercial quantities of hydrocarbons for a development through the Pompano platform. The platform rig program has since shifted to prepare for the Mount Hunter development well, with first oil expected early next year.

Finally, in the Mexican sector, Talos continues to work with Pemex and its Block 7 partners Wintershall Dea and Harbour Energy to finalize the Zama Field development plan for a planned submission to Mexico’s National Hydrocarbons Commission by March 2023, as required in the unitization resolution.

Subject to approval, the parties will then move toward final investment decision later in 2023. The parties are in parallel discussing the formation of an integrated project team, which would include representatives of each company and would report to the unit operating committee, to manage the field’s development.