Shell sets world records with Mensa field
July 15, 1997 Shell Deepwater Production Inc. has broken the world water depth record for production by almost 2,000
feet. The Mensa subsea development began flowing gas from its first well in 5,300 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico
on July 12. Another world record for tieback distance to a platform was set when production flowed through 68 miles
of flowline to its host platform at West Delta 143.
The first Mensa well is producing approximately 108 mm cf of gas per day. Subsea development will continue through
March 1998 as the other 2 wells planned for the project are drilled and completed by the Transocean semisub George
Richardson. A peak production rate of 300 mm cfpd is expected to be achieved in the first quarter 1998.
Shell discovered the Mensa field in 1987. Mensa encompasses Mississippi Canyon Blocks 686, 687, 730 and 731. It is
100 % owned by Shell. Ultimate recovery from the field is estimated at 720 bn cf of natural gas.
Mensa's deepwater production surpassed the existing world water depth production record of 3,400 feet established by
Petrobras offshore Brazil. The current Gulf of Mexico water depth record is 3,214 feet held by the Ram-Powell tension
leg platform, operated by Shell with its partners, Amoco and Exxon.
