Production is to begin in 2018 from deepwater Stampede oil field in the Gulf of Mexico under a development plan approved by operator Hess Corp. and partners.
The project will involve subsea completions tied back to a new tension-leg platform.
Hess initially plans to drill six production wells and four water-injection wells through two subsea drill centers in 3,500 ft of water. The Miocene sandstone reservoir occurs at about 30,000 ft.
The first rig in a two-rig program is to begin work in fourth-quarter 2015.
Gross topsides processing capacities are 80,000 b/d of oil and 100,000 b/d of water for injection.
Hess expects the development to cost $6 billion. It estimates recoverable resources at 300-350 million boe.
Stampede field is 115 miles south of Fourchon, La., on Green Canyon Blocks 468, 511, and 512.
The field combines two discoveries, Pony by Hess in 2006 on Block 468 and Knotty Head by Nexen Inc. in 2005 on Block 512. A late-2012 exchange agreement combined the interests.
Hess, Nexen, Chevron Corp. subsidiary Union Oil Co. of California, and Statoil hold 25% interests each.
