Lucius Project: Export Oil and Gas Pipeline Development and Execution

Abstract This paper provides an overview of the unique challenges faced by the oil and gas export pipelines during the development and execution phases of the Lucius project. The oil pipeline will focus on the repurposing of 47 miles of the Phoenix gas pipeline for oil service which reduces infrastructure and environmental footprint in the Gulf of Mexico. The gas pipeline will focus on the re-engineering of the pipeline end terminations (PLETs) and installation procedures after the engineering and fabrication phases of the project were complete due to a change in installation vessel so that Lucius first production was not impeded. The oil export pipeline, with a nominal capacity of 115 KBPD, is an 18-inch, 147 mile pipeline consisting of 3 segments: (1) 74 miles of 18-inch new build pipeline from the Lucius spar to the existing Phoenix pipeline, (2) test and re-use of an existing 47 mile section of Phoenix gas pipeline converted to oil service, and (3) 26 miles of 18-inch new build pipeline to the existing platform South Marsh Island 205 (SMI-205). First oil was delivered in 1Q2015. The gas export pipeline, with a max capacity of 400+ MMCFD, is a new build 20-inch, 209 mile pipeline anchored by the Lucius and Hadrian South developments. The pipeline starts in Keathley Canyon 831 and terminates into a new build transportation platform located in South Timbalier 283 (ST-283). First gas was delivered in 1Q2015.