According to Drilling Contractor, Woodside Energy partnered with PEMEX to begin drilling 24 subsea wells at the Trion Field in ultra-deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with Transocean’s Deepwater Thalassa starting operations in March 2026.
Major Project Scope
The Trion development centers around a floating production unit named Tláhoc with capacity for approximately 100,000 barrels per day. Production will flow to the Chalchi floating storage and offloading vessel, which can hold 950,000 barrels. The project includes extensive subsea infrastructure and export systems connecting the wells to surface facilities.
Transocean’s Deepwater Thalassa drillship arrived in Mexican waters on March 5, 2026, and will be supported by supply vessels and logistics services operating from Tamaulipas state ports. The 24-well campaign represents one of the larger ultra-deepwater programs currently active in the Gulf of Mexico.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Supply vessel operators can expect sustained work supporting the multi-year drilling campaign, with regular runs between Tamaulipas ports and the drilling location
- Subsea service companies have opportunities for installation, intervention, and maintenance work across 24 wells plus associated infrastructure systems
- Logistics and materials management firms can benefit from coordinating equipment and supplies between Texas Gulf Coast bases and Mexican operations
- Specialized drilling services including directional drilling, mud services, and well completion contractors will be needed throughout the extended campaign
- Marine support services such as anchor handling, positioning, and offshore construction support represent additional revenue streams as the project develops
The project’s scale and multi-year timeline provide subcontractors with planning visibility for equipment allocation and workforce deployment in the Gulf of Mexico region.
