17-06-08 BP's Thunder Horse platform in the Gulf of Mexico is finally pumping oil and natural gas. BP spokesman Ronnie Chappell said that Thunder Horse started pumping from a single well, launching a lengthy commissioning process.
"There's still a lot of work to do. There are other wells to prepare for production and others to drill and complete. But we're on track, making good progress and on schedule to have the field online by year-end," he said.

When the structure 150 miles southeast of New Orleans reaches its daily capacity of 250,000 barrels of oil and 200 mm cf of natural gas, Thunder Horse will be the Gulf's biggest producer. Thunder Horse originally was scheduled to start producing three years ago. But system and design troubles prompted lengthy delays.
Ballast system failures left the installation listing 20 degrees after Hurricane Dennis blew through the Gulf in July 2005. About a year later, a crucial piece of equipment on the seabed sprung a leak, forcing BP to haul the piece back toshore for repairs.

When running at full tilt, Thunder Horse alone will increase overall US oil and natural gas production by 3.6 %.
BP owns three-fourths of Thunder Horse, and ExxonMobil one-fourth.