SLB OneSubsea, a joint venture backed by SLB, Aker Solutions, and Subsea7, has been awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract by supermajor BP to provide a subsea boosting system for the Thunder Horse project in the deepwater region of the US Gulf of Mexico, according to Splash247.
Contract Details and Project Scope
The contract covers the delivery of a subsea boosting system, including project management, engineering, manufacturing, and testing. The award follows similar subsea boosting contracts for BP's Kaskida and Tiber developments in the same basin, Splash247 reported. All three projects will leverage the same supplier-led, standardised subsea boosting system solution, which is designed to improve execution efficiency and shorten delivery times.
Mads Hjelmeland, CEO of SLB OneSubsea, commented: “Subsea boosting is an important enabler for extending production from existing assets. Our standardised subsea solutions support faster deployment and improved efficiency, helping operators enhance production and recovery while optimising overall field performance.”
Thunder Horse Platform Overview
Thunder Horse is the largest moored semi-submersible production oil platform in the world, capable of producing over 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The platform is located approximately 240 km southeast of New Orleans in the Mississippi Canyon Blocks. It nearly sank in 2005 after Hurricane Dennis, but was fully repaired and began operations in 2008, according to Splash247.
Subsea Boosting System Comparison
The table below summarises the three BP projects now using SLB OneSubsea’s standardised boosting solution:
| Project | Location | Contract Status | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Horse | Mississippi Canyon, US Gulf of Mexico | Awarded 2026 | Subsea boosting system EPC |
| Kaskida | US Gulf of Mexico | Previously awarded | Standardised boosting system |
| Tiber | US Gulf of Mexico | Previously awarded | Standardised boosting system |
Implications for Gulf of Mexico Production
The use of a standardised subsea boosting system across multiple BP deepwater projects signals a strategic shift toward supplier-led solutions to maximise recovery from existing assets. For commodity traders and analysts tracking Gulf of Mexico crude oil supply, the ability to extend production from large platforms like Thunder Horse helps sustain output levels in a basin where new discoveries are becoming rarer. The contract also reinforces the role of subsea boosting technology in optimising field performance and reducing costs, which can affect project economics and ultimately production volumes.
SLB OneSubsea will handle the full EPC scope, meaning the joint venture is responsible for design, procurement, construction, and testing. This integrated approach, according to Splash247, aims to shorten delivery times and improve execution efficiency compared to traditional bespoke systems. As the three projects advance, the delivery timelines and commissioning dates will be closely watched by market participants.
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