The Trion project off the Mexican coast is charging ahead as it targets first oil in 2028, with all major contracts awarded and key regulatory steps completed.

Stephane Drouaud, VP Trion, credits the momentum to the dedication and drive of the Trion project team.

"Since the final investment decision, our teams have tackled challenges head-on, reaching major milestones and entering the fabrication phase," reports Stephane.

The Trion field is located about 180 km off the Mexican coast at a water depth of 2500 m and was discovered by Mexican National Oil Company PEMEX in 2012.

Fabrication is underway for the three floating production unit (FPU) topside modules in Ulsan, South Korea, while the first steel cut for the floating storage offloading (FSO) vessel disconnectable turret mooring system (DTM) has taken place at the Cosco Shipyard in Qidong, China. Additional progress was marked with the awarding of the drill ship contract to Transocean, with the Deepwater Thalassa confirmed to lead the campaign starting in Q1 2026.

SLB has also been awarded a major drilling contract to oversee the delivery of 18 ultra-deepwater wells over three years. The company previously secured a contract for subsea horizontal trees, controls and topside equipment, with manufacturing underway.

Meanwhile, the local teams have made progress on the regulatory front. The environmental permit application has been submitted, and work is underway on the HSE management system permit application.

“We are proud to be a part of Mexico’s energy future,” Stephane points out.

“With our ‘one team, one goal’ mindset, I am confident we will continue making history as we deliver Mexico’s first ultra-deepwater development.”

The Trion field is located in the Perdido Fold Belt, at a water depth of 2,500m approximately 180km off the Mexican coastline and 30km south of the US/Mexico maritime border. 

Trion is a greenfield development that would represent the first oil production from Mexico’s deepwater, with potential for future discoveries to be tied back to Trion facilities.

The Trion project was discovered by PEMEX (Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company) in 2012. In 2017, BHP Petroleum and PEMEX signed an agreement for the development of the Trion discovery. Following the merger with BHP Petroleum, Woodside has continued the agreement with PEMEX for field development. 

KeyFacts Energy: Woodside Mexico country profile