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Alex Development Project
Alex is located in Brazos A-19 in the western Gulf of Mexico about 75 miles south, southwest of Galveston, Texas, in approximately 134 feet of water.
Exploration and Discovery
- Shell Offshore Inc. is the operator and has an 85% interest in the project. Spinnaker Exploration Company L.L.C. has a 15% interest.
- The discovery well was drilled using the Rowan Juneau jackup drilling rig.
- The reserves are in the Middle Miocene Alex sand, at a depth of approximately 17,500 feet.
- The discovery is primarily gas. The bottom hole temperature (BHT) of the gas is 370 F. The composition includes 4.1% CO2 and 16 ppm H2S.
Development Plans
- The surface development utilized existing BA-A19 infrastructure consisting of three interconnected 8-pile jackets.
- A 4-pile jacket was installed at the well location and a 6" diameter duplex stainless steel pipeline was installed to the existing "C" structure.
- A substructure, deck and interconnecting bridge were installed on "C". Utilities and quarters were installed on "B".
Major contractors participating in the development were:
EDG Inc. | Surface Development Engineering Contractor |
|---|---|
| Cameron | Supplier of 20,000 psi internally clad tree |
| Global Movable Offshore | Derrick Barge / Cable Lay |
| Offshore Specialty Fabricators | Derrick Barge |
| Torch Inc. | Pipeline |
| United Pipelines | CRA Pipeline Materials |
| J. Ray McDermott | Structural / Facilities Refurbishment |
| Max Welders | Structural / Facilities Refurbishment |
| Redman | Materials and Supplies |
| Total Safety | H2S Safety Consultants |
- Diamond Offshore’s Ocean King jackup drilling rig completed the well.
Production
- Production of Alex through well JC-1 began October 16, 1999.
- In November 1999, the well was damaged during a shutdown. Attempts to repair the well were unsuccessful and subsequently, the well was plugged and abandoned.
- Another well (JD-1) was drilled in 2001 with the Chiles Magellan jackup drilling rig.
- The 4-pile Alex production jacket was relocated to its new position in June 2001. Global Industries and Gulf Island Fabricators were involved in the jacket and flowline repositioning.
- The JD-1 well and completion were redesigned using advanced well design technology, incorporating Shell’s global experience in hot, high pressure completions.
- Production recommenced on March 24, 2002.