The Mexican Ministry for Energy has approved the social impact assessment for the $7.2 billion deepwater Trion development in the Gulf of Mexico, Woodside Energy said Feb. 13.

Woodside, which operates the Trion project in 2,500 m water depth in the Mexican GoM, submitted the assessment in May 2023.

The approval is an important milestone in the development of the oil and gas field, Matthew Ridolfi, Woodside’s executive vice president for projects, said in a press release.

The plan “will help us to engage more effectively with local communities and better support their needs as we progress this project from construction to first oil. It also brings forward opportunities for jobs and economic development,” Ridolfi said. Trion is a greenfield development and represents the first oil production from Mexico’s deep waters.

Trion, located approximately 180 km off the Mexican coastline, is expected to reach first oil in 2028. Production will flow to a floating production semisubmersible with a capacity of 100,000 bbl/d.

Woodside reached final investment decision on the project in June 2023. Woodside operates the project with 60% interest on behalf of partner Pemex, which holds 40% interest.

Offshore