Gulf of Mexico production packs a punch
New projects are steadily making progress, but there is still the long-term uncertainty of a permanent federal lease ban
Offshore activity in the Gulf of Mexico is picking up steam despite the uncertainty of a controversial government moratorium on offshore lease sales. Several tie-back projects have achieved first oil and more offshore activity is slated in the coming months. European major BP completed the tieback of its Manuel project into the Na Kika platform in late June. Production at the platform is expected to increase by 20,100bl oe/d, taking the company’s total Gulf of Mexico output in 2021 to c.300,000bl oe/d. BP’s Thunder Horse South Phase II project is also scheduled to come online later in the year, adding 50,000bl oe/d at its peak. And the flagship Mad Dog Phase II venture is projected to reac
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6 March 2026
The March 2026 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
6 March 2026
After Europe’s rapid buildout of floating LNG import capacity, Exmar CEO Carl-Antoine Saverys says future growth in floating gas infrastructure will increasingly be driven by developing markets as lower prices, rising energy demand and the need to replace coal unlock new opportunities for unconventional and tailor-made solutions
5 March 2026
Gas is a central pillar of Colombia’s energy system, but declining production poses a significant challenge, and LNG will be increasingly needed as a stopgap. A recent major offshore gas discovery offers hope, but policy improvements are also required, Camilo Morales, secretary general of Naturgas, the Colombian gas association, tells Petroleum Economist
4 March 2026
The continent’s inventories were already depleted before conflict erupted in the Middle East, causing prices to spike ahead of the crucial summer refilling season
