BP plc, a leading UK-based energy company, has taken a significant step forward in its ambitious Kaskida development in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The company has enlisted the expertise of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to provide a range of services related to the project’s floating production unit (FPU). This marks BP’s sixth deepwater project in the region, reinforcing its commitment to the high-margin basin.
ABS, renowned for its expertise in offshore exploration, will play a vital role in the Kaskida project. The organization will provide classification, engineering review, verification, and inspection services for the new semi-submersible FPU, a critical component in BP’s expanding Gulf of Mexico portfolio. Notably, ABS will serve as the certified verification agent for the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, ensuring compliance with stringent regulations.
Miguel Hernandez, ABS’ senior vice president, highlighted the organization’s decades of experience in working with complex semisubmersible production platforms, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico. This expertise will be invaluable as ABS collaborates with the United States Coast Guard to oversee the design, construction, installation, and equipment for BP’s Kaskida FPU, guaranteeing its safety and operational integrity.
The engineering for BP’s Kaskida FPU is already underway, with multiple firms engaged in the design process. Audubon Engineering is handling the topside design, while Exmar Offshore is responsible for the hull, both contracts awarded in August 2024. The Kaskida project is expected to begin production by 2029, with the FPU capable of producing 80,000 barrels of crude oil per day from six wells in the first phase. The Kaskida project, located approximately 250 miles southwest of New Orleans in the Keathley Canyon area, is projected to unlock 275 million barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable resources. This project is part of BP’s larger plan to develop 10 billion barrels of discovered resources in the Kaskida and Tiber catchment areas.
BP’s Kaskida development is poised to be a groundbreaking project in the Gulf of Mexico, featuring cutting-edge technology. It will be the first development in the region to utilize well equipment with a pressure rating of up to 20,000 pounds per square inch. This innovative technology is essential for tapping deepwater reservoirs at 34,000 feet below sea level, pushing the boundaries of offshore energy exploration. The involvement of ABS in this ambitious project further underscores its critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of BP’s largest energy development in the United States to date.
