Information About the Thunder Horse Oil Field

Location

The Thunder Horse oil field is located in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 240 km south of the coastline, at a depth of about 1,900 meters (6,200 feet). This location is within U.S. territorial waters.

History

The Thunder Horse field was discovered in 1999 and began production in 2008. It is a large field with impressive estimated oil and gas reserves.

Structure and Technology

The Thunder Horse field utilizes a semi-submersible platform, designed to operate in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

• It is one of the highest-capacity drilling platforms, capable of processing and storing large volumes of oil and gas.
• The platform can process over 250,000 barrels of oil per day, with plans to increase production in the future.

Production Capacity and Reserves

• Thunder Horse has an estimated reserve of up to 1 billion barrels of oil.
• It has become one of the largest and most long-term viable oil fields in the region.
• Production from Thunder Horse contributes significantly to the total oil and gas output of ExxonMobil and Chevron in the Gulf of Mexico.

Economic and Strategic Importance

• Thunder Horse is not only economically vital for the operating companies but also for the U.S. economy, as it provides a stable and significant oil supply.
• The field plays an important role in U.S. energy strategy, particularly as the country seeks to reduce its dependence on imported oil amid increasing energy demands.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

• Extracting oil and gas from deepwater fields like Thunder Horse requires advanced technology and strict safety measures to protect the environment and minimize negative impacts.
• Measures are in place to prevent oil spills and environmental disasters, such as the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster.