Deepwater Report

Falcon Corridor's infrastructure designed with future small fields in mind

A deepwater development plan utilizing subsea tiebacks to a new host platform has had enough flexibility to incorporate quick development of additional fields.

J. D. (Joey) Hall, Denny B. Bullard, William M. Gray and Mark C. Drew, Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Dallas 

Falcon field was discovered in April 2001, on East Breaks Blocks 579/623 in the western US Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Water depth was 3,450 ft. The discovery was owned by Pioneer Natural Resources and Mariner Energy. Mariner operated the field until March 2002, when Pioneer acquired an additional interest and became operator. In March 2003, Pioneer acquired the remaining interest, owning 100% of Falcon and surrounding leases. 

Other prospects had been identified in the general area. Therefore, a development strategy that provides for future tie-ins was preferred, if achievable at reasonable cost. The area is now referred to as the Falcon Corridor, Fig. 1. Because there had been very little deepwater development in this area, infrastructure was limited. Several development scenarios were evaluated, including floating production. As a dry gas field, Falcon was also a candidate for a subsea tie-back. However, there were no host platforms in the vicinity with the capacity required to handle the flows expected from Falcon and future discoveries. 

It was decided in October 2001 that a subsea tie-back to a new host platform would be the most economical solution. The host platform would be sited in Mustang Island Block A-103, in 389 ft of water, and 32.6 mi from Falcon. An 18-mi, 18-in. export pipeline would also be required to transport gas to the existing Central Texas Gas System, which could handle Falcon's output, as well as future discoveries.