en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 5, U.S. independent oil and gas producer Talos Energy disclosed that the first development well at the Monument Field in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico has been drilled, with operator Beacon Offshore Energy preparing to spud the second development well, followed by completion operations on both wells. The project remains on track to achieve first oil by the end of 2026, with expected initial gross production of 20,000 to 30,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
The first development well, located in Walker Ridge Block 315, was drilled to a measured total depth of 32,250 feet, encountering 245 feet of vertical net oil pay in a structurally high position. Beacon stated that the drilling results align with pre-project forecasts, indicating that the targeted Lower Wilcox reservoir is consistent with the reservoir characteristics obtained during the exploration and appraisal phases. The operator did not disclose a specific spud date for the second well.
Monument is located in Walker Ridge Blocks 271, 272, 315, and 316. The project features two production wells and approximately 17 miles of subsea pipeline, tied back to the Shenandoah floating production facility operated by Beacon. Talos disclosed that the project has secured firm processing capacity of 20,000 barrels per day, and the initial two wells will be connected to the existing production system upon completion.
The Shenandoah floating production facility is located in Walker Ridge Block 52, approximately 150 miles south of the Louisiana coast in about 5,800 feet of water, with a nominal crude oil processing capacity of 120,000 barrels per day. Navitas Petroleum stated that the facility's crude processing capacity was previously increased from 100,000 to 120,000 barrels per day, including reserved capacity for the Monument subsea tieback project.
The Monument project reached a final investment decision in March 2024. Beacon Offshore Energy holds a total working interest of 41.67% and serves as operator, Talos Energy holds 29.76%, and Navitas Petroleum holds 28.57%. Following the drilling of the second well, the project will move into the phase of completing both wells, subsea facility connection, and commissioning preparations.
