BP PLC has added two more drilling rigs to its deepwater Gulf of Mexico fleet. The company said it now accounts for a record nine rigs in the region. The West Auriga has started development drilling in Mississippi Canyon’s Thunder Horse field. The ultradeepwater drillship , provided by Seadrill Ltd. under a long-term contract, can operate in as much as 12,000 ft of water. Thunder Horse achieved production of more than 200,000 boe/d in 2008 ( OGJ Online, Dec. 22, 2008 ). A reconstructed drilling rig has resumed development drilling at the Mad Dog field complex, replacing the platform’s original rig that was toppled and sent to the seafloor by Hurricane Ike in 2008 ( OGJ, Oct. 27, 2008, p. 64 ). The spar was installed in 4,734 ft of water on Green Canyon Block 782 and began production in 2005. BP said it expects to invest at least […]