Kosmos Energy and Shell plan to drill the Trailblazer prospect in the Gulf of America, also known as the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, in the first half of 2027.
The plan follows a strategic alliance signed in February 2026 across the Norphlet trend. The alliance expanded Kosmos Energy’s future exploration opportunities under its infrastructure-led exploration strategy in the Gulf.
The partners are aligned across ten blocks in the U.S. Gulf and are targeting several high-potential prospects. Trailblazer is estimated to hold about 200 million barrels of oil equivalent gross.
If drilling is successful, the prospect could be tied back to Shell’s nearby Appomattox platform. Kosmos Energy has been designated as the development operator.
During the first quarter of 2026, Kosmos Energy’s Gulf of America production averaged about 16,800 boepd net, with oil representing around 84%. The company reported strong output from its operated Odd Job and Kodiak fields.
Early in the second quarter, the Winterfell-2 well was shut in pending future intervention.
In March 2026, Kosmos Energy and Occidental reached a final investment decision for Tiberius in the outboard Wilcox play. Kosmos Energy operates the project with a 50% working interest, while Occidental holds the remaining 50%.
Tiberius is targeting first oil in the second half of 2028. Long-lead items have already been secured, and most capital spending is expected in 2027 and 2028. Kosmos Energy has started a farm-down process to reduce its working interest to about 33%, with closing expected later this year.
