The connection, which is being performed at half a mile down the Gulf of Mexico, will involve retrofitting the platform and a production shut-in at Auger.
The Cardamom development is expected to increase oil production capacity for Shell.
The Auger platform currently produces around 55,000 barrels oil equivalent (boe) per day, where Shell’s share is around 30,000 boe per day.
Production at Auger is expected to restart in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Once online in 2014, the Auger platform will serve as the host platform for the Cardamom subsea development and is expected to produce at a peak rate of 50,000 boe per day, where Shell’s share will be 100%.
Shell Upstream Americas deep water executive vice president John Hollowell said the Gulf of Mexico remains an important part of Shell’s portfolio and strategy, and it is expected to generate substantial growth over the next several years.
"Cardamom is a great example of using existing infrastructure to increase oil and gas production in a less capital intensive way," Hollowell added.
