US approves first deepwater exploration plan from BP in US Gulf since Macondo

Washington (Platts)--21Oct2011/1241 pm EDT/1641 GMT

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Friday approved BP's exploration plan to drill up to four deepwater wells in the Gulf of Mexico -- a major step toward returning the company to deepwater exploration in the Gulf after its April 2010 Macondo well blowout and spill.

BOEM approved the plan, it said in a statement, after confirming BP's compliance with new, tougher drilling regulations put in place following the Macondo blowout. BOEM said it has also verified that BP will meet even tougher voluntary standards than the company said it would implement in connection with any future deepwater Gulf activity.

"BOEM is dedicated to ensuring that the development of the nation's energy resources is conducted in a safe and environmentally responsible manner," BOEM Director Tommy Beaudreau said. "Our review of BP's plan included verification of BP's compliance with the heightened standards that all deepwater activities must meet."

BP's proposal is to tapping its giant Kaskida oil field. The plan proposes four wells in Keathley Canyon blocks 292 and 336 in about 6,000 feet of water, according to the plan application. Seadrill's dynamically positioned West Sirius semisubmersible rig would drill each well in about 205 days, BP had said.

BP must still get approval of individual permits for each of its wells before drilling can begin.

--Gary Gentile, gary_gentile@platts.com

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