bp announced the safe start-up of the Manuel project in the US Gulf of Mexico, the fourth of five major projects expected to be delivered globally in 2021. Manuel includes a new subsea production system for two new wells tied into the Na Kika platform. The wells are expected to boost gross platform production by an estimated 20,100 barrels of oil equivant a day (boe/d).

The bp-operated wells, drilled to a depth of approximately 21,000 feet, are located on Mississippi Canyon block 520, east of the bp-operated Na Kika platform in 6,625 feet of water, approximately 140 miles off the coast of New Orleans. bp and Shell each hold a 50% working interest in the Manuel development.