Woodside Energy Starts Steel Fabrication for Trion

Woodside Energy has reached a key milestone in the Trion Development project in the Gulf of Mexico with the commencement of steel fabrication for the semi-submersible floating production unit (FPU). The steel-cutting ceremony took place on Nov. 13, 2024, at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) facility in Ulsan, South Korea. The event marked the start of a multi-year construction phase for the FPU, which is central to the project’s timeline, with first oil targeted for 2028.  

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill described the milestone as a significant step for the development. “This is an exciting moment for all those involved with the Trion Development, and we are pleased to be embarking on this important phase of work with HHI, our contracting partner for the floating production unit,” said O’Neill.  

O’Neill was joined at the ceremony by HHI President and CEO Lee Sang-kyun and Mexico’s Ambassador to Korea, Carlos Peñafiel.  

The Trion Development is a joint venture between Woodside and PEMEX and is Mexico’s first deepwater oil project. Located in the Gulf of Mexico at a depth of 2,500m and 180km from the coastline, the project is currently over 15% complete. Once operational, the field is expected to reach peak production of up to 100Mb/d.  

Trion is a critical component of Mexico’s national hydrocarbons strategy, which includes leveraging exploration and joint ventures to increase reserves and production. PEMEX aims to preserve strategic fields such as Trion and Zama while maintaining oil production at 1.8MMb/d.  The project also reflects Mexico’s goals of boosting proven, probable, and possible reserves (3P) through advanced exploration techniques to ensure a 10-year consumption period.  

Woodside awarded the FPU engineering, procurement, and construction contract to HHI in June 2023, cementing the partnership to deliver this critical infrastructure for Mexico’s energy future.