Chevron has successfully produced first oil from the Anchor field in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, marking a technological breakthrough under extreme subsea pressures, the company announced on Monday.
The $5.7 billion project enables production from deepwater areas previously inaccessible due to pressures up to 20,000 psi. Chevron and partner TotalEnergies expect the Anchor development to last 30 years, with a peak output of 75,000 barrels of oil and 28 million cubic feet of natural gas daily. Located 140 miles off the Louisiana coast, the field is tied to a floating platform.
“This industry-first deepwater technology unlocks difficult-to-access resources,” said Chevron Executive Vice President Nigel Hearne.
Chevron’s success sets the stage for similar high-pressure projects, including Beacon Offshore Energy’s delayed Shenandoah field, expected to produce oil in 2025. BP also plans to develop its Kaskida field by 2029, utilizing new subsea technologies.