Deepwater drilling has recommenced in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time since the drilling moratorium was imposed in June after the BP oil disaster.
Although the moratorium was officially lifted last October, Noble Energy is the first to receive a permit to resume drilling at its Santiago prospect in the deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico.
Located in 6,500 feet of water, the Santiago exploration well had previously drilled to a depth of 13,585 feet before the moratorium. Drilling is expected to resume in late March, with a target depth of 19,000 feet. Results are expected by the end of May 2011.
Noble Energy’s project was one of 16 under way when the ban was imposed. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) said in January that projects halted by the moratorium would not have to undergo new environmental assessments before restarting, but it remains to be seen whether the others will be allowed to resume any time soon, as they do have to comply with new safety and environmental mandates imposed since the spill. They must also prove they can swiftly contain a blowout in deep water.
"This permit was issued for one simple reason,” said Michael Bromwich, head of BOEMRE. “The operator successfully demonstrated that it can drill its deep-water well safely and that it is capable of containing a sub-sea blowout if it were to occur."
“Over the past several months, Noble Energy has worked with a number of operators and service providers to enhance the safety of deepwater drilling operations, including the implementation of third party certification of well designs and BOP testing,” said David L. Stover, President and COO of Noble Energy.
“Our partnership with others in the Helix Well Containment Group has increased the deepwater Gulf subsea control and containment capabilities. The industry has improved its ability to respond to surface spills as well. Our teams have done an outstanding job of coordinating with the BOEMRE on these matters. This is the first permit issued to resume drilling activities at a well suspended during the moratorium. Noble Energy is proud to help lead the industry back to drilling in the deepwater Gulf."
