bp expands offshore operations to support US growth

From deploying advanced technologies at offshore facilities to approving two new platforms, bp is in action today to build a safer, more productive, and more efficient future in the Gulf of America.

Those efforts reflect our continued investment in the US, which sits at the heart of our strategy. Nationwide, bp employs more than 30,000 people, supports around 300,000 jobs, and invested more than $6 billion in capital expenditures last year — over 40% of its global total.

We intend to boost our US production to about 1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) by 2030, nearly 30% higher than in 2024. The Gulf of America is critical to that plan, with bp working to grow production capacity in the region to more than 400,000 boe/d by 2030 — while maintaining its focus on safety.

Three offshore expansion projects in the Gulf of America planned to come online by 2027

To support our growth ambitions in the Gulf, bp is starting up expansion projects at our Argos and Atlantis platforms, two of five production facilities we operate in the region. Two additional platforms, the Kaskida and Tiber-Guadalupe projects, are expected to come online by 2030.

In August, bp started up the Argos Southwest Extension, which includes three new wells and is expected to have a peak annual average production of 20,000 boe/d gross. The project achieved first oil 25 months after discovery and seven months ahead of schedule — a new benchmark for our deepwater pace of delivery without compromising safety.

Next year, we expect to bring online the Atlantis Drill Center 1 Expansion, which will tie two more wells to the platform with an expected peak annual average production of around 15,000 boe/d gross. The project aims to maximize production in the Atlantis field and extend its life.

Following that, we plan to start up the Atlantis Major Facility Expansion in 2027. The project aims to enhance production at the Atlantis field by injecting water into targeted reservoirs to help access harder-to-reach barrels. The project illustrates our strategy of maximizing production using existing infrastructure to unlock additional value from our current Gulf assets.

Cutting-edge seismic technology helps enhance production and improve efficiency

bp’s efforts to boost production at Argos and Atlantis include using advanced seismic technology to better understand the geology beneath the ocean floor. This approach helps teams make informed choices about where to place new wells and use existing assets more efficiently.

To gather seismic data, sound waves are sent into the seabed, rebounding off layers of rock. These waves are recorded as they come back, and then our teams use complex programs and sophisticated computing to generate a 3D picture of the subsurface.

4D surveys — the latest generation of seismic technology — provide a clearer picture of Gulf geology than ever before. These surveys not only map it with significantly more detail but also show how the underground layers have shifted over extended periods of time, so crews can prepare for future changes. This can help teams understand how best to develop a field — and do it efficiently and safely. It’s all part of our efforts to produce the secure and affordable energy the world needs today.

Technology also helps enhance safety within our Gulf of America operations. For example, we are testing the use of drones to inspect tanks on our offshore platforms, allowing employees to monitor inspections remotely and eliminating hundreds of hours of work in confined spaces each year.

Driving production growth with a focus on safety

bp’s expansion projects and deployment of advanced technologies in the Gulf of America underscore our commitment to safety and operational excellence. With initiatives already underway to maximize our existing infrastructure, apply innovative solutions, and boost production, we are is modernizing our offshore facilities today to support US energy needs for the future.