The Perdido Foldbelt is in the remote western Gulf of Mexico, approximately 200 miles south of Galveston TX.. Perdido is located in waters ranging in depth from 7,500 to 10,000 feet and with rugged seafloor terrain. Perdido geologic conditions are different from areas that have previously produced hydrocarbons in the Gulf of Mexico and will be the first time for production from the Lower Tertiary (Paleogene) play. Shell has been a leader in opening this play, starting with exploration in the 1990's, and is proud to be at the leading edge of development and production.

To accomplish this record-breaking feat, Shell will use cutting-edge technology that includes wet-tree direct vertical access (DVA) wells and a unique subsea boosting system (two-phase separation and single-phase pumping) for artificial lift. The development system incorporates surface BOP for drilling/completion of subsea wells and for deployment/intervention of subsea boosting equipment. Unique features of this system are as follows:

• All wells are subsea wells.
• Majority of the wells are directly underneath the host. These wells can be drilled, completed, and intervened by the host rig through a surface BOP system.
• Production from the wells is commingled through dual-header manifolds. The commingled production flows through a 36-inch caisson (for gas/liquid separation and ESP pumping) with a top-tensioned riser supported by the host. The gas flows through the annulus naturally. The liquid is pumped by the ESP, and flows though the inner tubing. The ESP equipment can be installed and intervened by the host rig.

This presentation will review the development concept to be used for Perdido. In particular, the presentation will review the application of different technologies such as surface BOP, subsea DVA wells, and caisson ESP with top-tensioned risers, for the Perdido Development.