SLB’s OneSubsea joint venture has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by bp to supply a subsea boosting system for the Thunder Horse development in the deep‑water Gulf of America. The award, announced in a press release that highlights the strategic fit of the technology, adds to a recent string of subsea‑boosting contracts that SL OneSubsea has secured for bp’s Kaskida and Tiber fields. By choosing the same supplier‑led, standardized high‑pressure solution across multiple deep‑water assets, bp is aiming to cut engineering variation, accelerate delivery schedules, and ultimately improve the economics of its offshore portfolio.
SLB OneSubsea Wins EPC Contract for Thunder Horse
The EPC contract obligates SLB OneSubsea to deliver a complete subsea boosting system together with the full suite of project‑management, engineering, manufacturing, and testing services required for execution. The system will be integrated into the existing Thunder Horse infrastructure, allowing the platform to handle higher‑pressure fluids and to sustain or increase production rates as the field matures. While the announcement did not disclose the contract’s monetary value or the precise delivery timeline, the language of the release emphasizes that the solution will be “supplier‑led” and “standardized,” mirroring the approach already applied at Kaskida and Tiber. This consistency is intended to streamline procurement, reduce design‑change risk, and shorten the overall project schedule for the deep‑water development.
Standardized Boosting Solution Extends Across bp’s Deepwater Portfolio
Thunder Horse joins bp’s Kaskida and Tiber projects, all of which will use the same supplier‑led, standardized subsea boosting system. According to the release, the common solution “helps improve execution efficiency and shorten delivery times.” By applying a uniform design, bp aims to reduce engineering variation and streamline procurement across its deep‑water assets. No further technical specifications of the boosting system were provided.
Implications for Offshore Production Efficiency
SLB OneSubsea’s CEO, Mads Hjelmeland, said subsea boosting “is an important enabler for extending production from existing assets.” The company highlighted that its standardized approach “supports faster deployment and improved efficiency, helping operators enhance production and recovery while optimizing overall field performance.” While the announcement does not quantify expected output gains, the technology is positioned to increase production rates and improve recovery factors on mature offshore platforms.
Key Takeaways
- SLB OneSubsea has been awarded an EPC contract by bp to deliver a subsea boosting system for the Thunder Horse development in the Gulf of America.
- The award follows similar contracts for bp’s Kaskida and Tiber projects, all using the same standardized high‑pressure subsea boosting solution.
- SLB OneSubsea states the standardized system enables faster deployment, higher production, and improved recovery for offshore operators.
EnergyInsyte's Take
The contract reinforces bp’s strategy of leveraging standardized subsea equipment to reduce project risk and schedule pressure in deepwater developments. Executives should monitor how the standardized approach affects overall capital efficiency and whether it can be replicated across other offshore assets. Details on cost, delivery schedule, and performance metrics remain undisclosed, leaving the true impact on field economics to be seen.
Source: SLB
