The U.S. Gulf of Mexico is on track to have a stellar 2019, with increases in drilling and merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, new project sanctions and first-ever production from a Jurassic play, according to analysts from Wood Mackenzie.

“We expect 2019 to be a strong year for the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to exciting new project sanctions, which could usher in more than $10 billion of investment into the region, a couple of historic firsts set to occur next year could set the stage for years to come,” said WoodMac senior research analyst William Turner.

Exploration activity in the region is expected to increase by 30 percent next year, WoodMac finds, with growth from new entrants like Kosmos Energy Ltd., Equinor ASA, Total S.A., Murphy Oil Corp. and Fieldwood Energy LLC.

Shell’s Appomattox development is due on stream in 2019 – marking the first-ever production from a Jurassic reservoir in the Gulf of Mexico. As Appomattox is a cornerstone of Shell’s global deepwater strategy, it will be a significant milestone for the company.

“If the Jurassic roars to life in 2019, it could give operators greater confidence in the play’s potential,” Turner said. “However, if Appomattox disappoints, the Jurassic could continue to lie dormant. The wider region would also be missing an expected strong production growth contributor.”

[link to www.rigzone.com (secure)]