ExxonMobil looks to reap 700 million-plus bbls from Hebron project

ExxonMobil will develop the Hebron oilfield offshore the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador using a gravity-based structure that will recover more than 700 million bbls of oil, an increase versus earlier estimates. Capital cost for the project, which is expected to begin oil production around the end of 2017, is estimated at $14 billion. The platform is being designed for daily production of 150,000 bbls of oil.

Hebron will be developed using a stand-alone, gravity-based structure consisting of reinforced concrete designed to withstand sea ice, icebergs and meteorological and oceanographic conditions. The base will be designed to store approximately 1.2 million bbls of crude oil and will support an integrated topsides deck that includes living quarters and facilities to perform drilling and production.

Construction of the gravity-based structure is under way at the project’s primary construction site in Bull Arm, Newfoundland and Labrador. Topsides fabrication is expected to begin later this year.

“Hebron is one of several large-scale oil developments that ExxonMobil will bring on stream in the next five years,” said Neil W. Duffin, president of ExxonMobil Development Company. “ExxonMobil will employ its expertise in Arctic development and project execution to develop this world-class resource in challenging operating conditions.”

The Hebron field is located offshore Newfoundland and Labrador in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin more than 200 miles (350 km) southeast of the capital of St. John’s and about 19 miles (32 km) southeast of ExxonMobil’s Hibernia project. Water depth is approximately 300 ft (92 meters).

Hebron will be operated by ExxonMobil’s affiliate ExxonMobil Canada Properties. Hebron partners are Chevron Canada, Suncor Energy, Statoil Canada and Nalcor Energy Oil and Gas.