Two Noble Energy-operated deepwater discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico are set to be tapped within the next two years via subsea tiebacks to the Thunder Hawk semisubmersible platform (pictured) in the Mississippi Canyon region.

The Big Bend and Dantzler discoveries are both to be tied back to the producing facility – owned by SBM Offshore on behalf of field operator Murphy Oil. Under a newly-signed production handling agreement between SBM and Noble, Big Bend in Mississippi Canyon Block 698 in 2,195 m (7,200 ft) of water and 29 km (18 miles) from Thunder Hawk will start producing late next year.

Dantzler, in MC 782 in 2,000 m (6,580 ft) of water and 11.2 km (7 miles) from Thunder Hawk, is due to start producing in the first quarter of 2016.

Noble operates Big Bend, which was discovered in 2012, with 54% and Danzler, discovered last year, with 45%.

Big Bend is part of Noble’s Rio Grande complex of discoveries, with up to 235 MMboe of recoverable reserves. Initially it is due to produce via a single subsea well tieback with peak gross production forecast to hit 22,000 boe/d. Noble has signalled the potential for a further 30-50 MMboe from the field with additional production wells and a possible water injector. Net capital outlay for Big Bend is put at US $385 million, and $710 million gross.

Along with the Troubadour discovery, Dantzler added 130 MMboe to the Rio Grande complex and will be a two-well tieback to Thunder Hawk via the Big Bend infrastructure. Peak production from Dantzler is forecast at up to 36,000 boe/d gross, with Noble’s net capital outlay put at $245 million, and $540 million gross.

Offshore