2010 Mar 10

Report predicts increased deepwater expenditure

 Worldwide expenditure in the deepwater sector will total US$167 billion between 2010 and 2014 – equating to a 37 per cent increase on the five preceding years. These and other insights are unveiled in new research by energy business analysts, Douglas-Westwood.

The World Deepwater Market Report 2010-2014 reveals that sector activity will largely remain within the, ‘golden triangle’ of Africa, the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil – with regional investment representing over three-quarters of the predicted global Capex expenditure.

The majority of ‘golden triangle’ investment, however, will take place in Latin America – driven largely by Capex-intensive development plans laid out by Petrobras over the next decade. The report also highlights that Asian deepwater markets will continue to grow during the forecast period – receiving around 10 per cent of the total predicted global Capex investment.

Steve Robertson, Director at Douglas-Westwood, explained: “The lack of new opportunities onshore or in shallow waters, together with the need to offset decline from existing reservoirs, is driving deepwater investment at a much higher rate than in previous years. In addition, technological advances have improved the economic viability of developments much further offshore.”

The World Deepwater Market Report 2010-2014 also reveals that operators have exerted substantial pressure on their supply chains during 2009 – achieving reductions of up to 15 per cent.

This confirms operator purchasing power has returned but that renewed sector growth could encourage cost inflation in some equipment and service markets. “We therefore expect the operator community to exert even more influence over the next five years to prevent a repeat of the unchecked inflation experienced between 2003 and 2008,” said Thom Payne, Lead Analyst at Douglas-Westwood.

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