Over $36.9bn in capital expenditure will be spent over the lifetime of the top 10 offshore heavy oil projects to produce 2.6 billion barrels of oil, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. These 10 projects, selected from 18 upcoming offshore heavy oil projects globally, will contribute incremental capacity of 400.5 thousand barrels of oil per day (mbd) to global oil supply by 2025. Ayin-Batsil, an announced shallow water field in Mexico that was not awarded during last year’s bidding rounds, is the largest with anticipated peak production at 62.9 mbd in 2030 at an estimated cost of $5.9bn.

GlobalData reports the average development breakeven oil price for top upcoming offshore heavy oil projects at $53.2 per bbl with projects in offshore Brazil have both the lowest and the highest with $37 and $83 per bbl respectively. The company notes that five of the top ten global offshore projects do not meet the return threshold of 10% for internal rate of return, necessitating reductions in capital expenditure or better oil markets. Shallow water Mariner in the UK has the highest net present value per barrel of oil equivalent at $5.6.

GlobalData estimates $36.9bn will be spent to bring the top ten offshore heavy oil projects online, with $17.9bn forecast by 2025. Early-stage shallow water projects, Ayin-Batsil, in Mexico would lead capital investment with estimated $5.9bn over the development lifetime, followed by heavy oil project Pit in Mexico with estimated $3.0bn, if awarded during one of the following Mexico bidding rounds as Pemex will try again to find new partners to develop some of its heavy oil offshore fields. GlobalData expects full-cycle capital expenditure per barrel of oil equivalent to average $12.8 for shallow water, $16.5 for ultra-deepwater, and $32.3 for deepwater.

Top ten upcoming offshore heavy oil projects

Source: Upstream Analytics                                                                                                                                                                   © GlobalData

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.