bp has successfully started up its Argos Southwest Extension project, the first in a series of new projects planned in the Gulf of America/Gulf of Mexico over the next five years. The expansion is part of bp’s ongoing strategy to expand domestic energy production and safely and profitably grow its global oil and natural gas business.
The project adds 20,000 boed of gross peak annualized average production at the existing Argos platform. Argos, which began production in 2023, is bp’s fifth operated production platform in the Gulf of America/Gulf of Mexico with a gross production capacity of up to 140,000 bopd.
“The Argos expansion underpins our commitment to investing in America, growing our U.S. offshore energy production safely and efficiently,” said Andy Krieger, SVP Gulf of America and Canada. “This project also kicks off a period of significant growth for bp in the Gulf of America, which will continue to play a critical role in delivering secure and reliable energy the world needs today and tomorrow.”
The Argos Southwest Extension project will add three wells and include a new drill center roughly 5 miles southwest of Argos. The subsea tieback, which connects new wells to existing offshore production facilities through pipelines, will extend the footprint of the Mad Dog field discovered in 1998.
bp successfully delivered the Argos Southwest Extension project seven months ahead of schedule by implementing concurrent workstreams, optimizing project management and engaging in early procurement. From the completion of the appraisal well in May 2023 to first oil, the project reached startup in approximately 25 months – setting a record for bp.
“Argos’ expansion project demonstrates how bp can swiftly bring new barrels to market safely and efficiently,” said Gordon Birrell, bp’s EVP of production and operations. “Our ability to move from resource discovery to first oil at record pace underscores our relentless pursuit to grow shareholder value.”
Argos Southwest Extension is one of 10 major project startups bp plans to deliver globally by 2027, as part of the strategy to grow its upstream business and long-term shareholder value.
It is also the first of three major expansions and new build projects in the deepwater Gulf of America that will enable bp to boost its capacity to produce around 400,000 boed from the U.S. offshore region by the end of this decade.
