Noble takes bite of Swordfish
Indie now largest working interest holder in Gulf project
Houston-based independent Noble Energy has acquired BP's 50% stake in the Swordfish development project in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
The deal, if approved by Minerals Management Services, will boost Noble's position in the Swordfish project from 10% to 60%.
A semi-submersible drilling rig is scheduled to arrive at Swordfish in June to begin development drilling and completion operations on two wells.
The rig will also drill a third Swordfish probe. The development plan calls for the three wells to be connected to existing infrastructure through subsea tieback.
Initial production of 16,000 to 20,000 equivalent barrels of oil per day is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2005.
Operator Mariner Energy has a working a 15% working interest in Swordfish, which is located in certain blocks of Viosca Knoll. Burlington Resources has the remaining 25% working interest.