Woodside Energy Begins Drilling at Trion Field in Mexico
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 day ago
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Should l Buy WDS?
Source: Benzinga
- Drilling Commencement: Woodside Energy Group has officially commenced drilling at the Trion Field in the Gulf of Mexico, marking a significant milestone that underscores the strategic partnership with PEMEX.
- Production Goals: The project includes a campaign of 24 subsea wells connected to the floating production unit Tláloc, which has a nameplate capacity of approximately 100,000 barrels per day, significantly enhancing output in Mexico's deepwater oil and gas sector.
- Economic Impact: Over its lifespan, the Trion project is expected to generate more than $10 billion in taxes and royalties for Mexico, while also creating direct and indirect employment opportunities and boosting local supply chains.
- Project Progress: Woodside's Vice President Stephane Drouaud noted that the project remains on schedule, with first oil targeted for 2028, reflecting the dedication and expertise of the project team and partners involved.
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About WDS
Woodside Energy Group Ltd is a global energy company. Its segments include Australia, International and Marketing. The Australia segment is engaged in the exploration, evaluation, development, production and sale of liquefied natural gas, pipeline gas, crude oil and condensate and natural gas liquids in Australia. International segment is engaged in the exploration, evaluation, development, production and sale of pipeline gas, crude oil and condensate and natural gas liquids in international jurisdictions outside of Australia. Marketing segment is engaged in the marketing, shipping and trading of its oil and gas portfolio. Its projects include Pluto LNG, the North West Shelf Project, Macedon, Sangomar, the lower carbon ammonia project in Texas, and others. It holds an interest in Woodside Louisiana LNG, which is an under-construction LNG production and export terminal in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The Sangomar, containing both oil and gas, is located 100 kilometers south of Dakar.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Drilling Campaign Initiated: Woodside, in partnership with PEMEX, has commenced drilling at the Trion Field in the ultra-deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, marking a significant milestone since the project's final investment decision (FID) in 2023, which is expected to enhance Mexico's energy security.
- Production Capacity Planning: The drilling campaign includes 24 subsea wells connected to a floating production unit (FPU) named Tláloc, with a nameplate capacity of approximately 100,000 barrels per day, ensuring efficient and safe operations while strengthening Mexico's competitiveness in the global energy market.
- Economic Benefits Expected: The Trion project is anticipated to deliver over $10 billion in taxes and royalties to Mexico over its lifetime, while also creating direct and indirect employment opportunities and expanding participation for local suppliers, thereby driving regional economic development.
- Project Progressing Smoothly: Since the FID, engineering, procurement, and operational planning activities have progressed in line with the approved development schedule, with first oil expected in 2028, reflecting the dedication and expertise of the project team and partners involved.
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- Drilling Commencement: Woodside Energy Group has officially commenced drilling at the Trion Field in the Gulf of Mexico, marking a significant milestone that underscores the strategic partnership with PEMEX.
- Production Goals: The project includes a campaign of 24 subsea wells connected to the floating production unit Tláloc, which has a nameplate capacity of approximately 100,000 barrels per day, significantly enhancing output in Mexico's deepwater oil and gas sector.
- Economic Impact: Over its lifespan, the Trion project is expected to generate more than $10 billion in taxes and royalties for Mexico, while also creating direct and indirect employment opportunities and boosting local supply chains.
- Project Progress: Woodside's Vice President Stephane Drouaud noted that the project remains on schedule, with first oil targeted for 2028, reflecting the dedication and expertise of the project team and partners involved.
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- Significant Stock Surge: Shares of Australian LNG exporters surged on Monday due to the halt of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with Woodside Energy Group (WDS) climbing 11%, marking its largest increase in nearly six years, while Santos (STOSF) rose 9%, indicating strong market reactions to energy supply disruptions.
- Global Supply Impacted: The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz affects approximately 20% of global LNG supply, intensifying market expectations for rising fuel prices, as analysts predict oil prices may open higher and remain elevated due to the re-pricing of transportation costs.
- Shipping Route Adjustments: At least 13 LNG tankers have diverted from their plans to load shipments in Qatar or the UAE due to increased risks in the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting shipowners' and traders' aversion to the waterway, which could exacerbate supply tightness further.
- International Shipping Company Responses: Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller–Maersk announced it would suspend sailings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal, rerouting vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, highlighting heightened vigilance regarding Middle Eastern tensions, while Greece's shipping ministry advised vessels to avoid the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
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- Net Profit Decline: Woodside Energy's net profit for FY 2025 fell by 24% to A$2.72 billion from A$3.57 billion last year, indicating profitability pressures amid weak operating revenues, which could impact investor confidence moving forward.
- Flat EBITDA: The company's EBITDA remained nearly flat at A$9.277 billion, slightly up from A$9.276 billion last year, while operating revenue decreased by 1% to A$12.98 billion, highlighting challenges in revenue growth amidst a competitive market.
- Increased Production: Woodside reported a production of 198.8 million barrels of oil equivalent, averaging 545 Mboe/day, up from 193.9 million barrels last year, showcasing the strength of its high-quality asset base, although declining prices may affect profitability.
- Dividend Adjustments: The board declared a final dividend of US 59 cents per share, an 11% increase from US 53 cents last year, but the full-year dividend decreased by 8% to US 112 cents per share, reflecting a cautious approach to shareholder returns amid fluctuating earnings.
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- Record Production: Woodside Energy achieved a record production of 198.8 million barrels of oil equivalent in 2025, averaging 545 Mboe/day, primarily driven by outstanding performance at the Sangomar project, indicating strong competitiveness in the oil and gas market.
- Profitability Decline: Despite record production, net profit after tax fell to $2.718 billion, a 24% decrease year-over-year, reflecting the pressure of soft market prices on profitability while showcasing the company's efforts in cost control.
- Dividend Returns: The board declared a final dividend of 59 cents per share, bringing the full-year dividend to 112 cents, maintaining an 80% payout ratio, demonstrating the company's commitment to shareholder returns despite the challenges of declining profits.
- Strategic Investment: Woodside made a final investment decision of $17.5 billion on the Louisiana LNG project, expected to commence production in 2029, and partnerships with high-quality stakeholders will reduce capital expenditure, enhancing future growth potential.
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- Market Reaction: The US Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling against Trump's tariff regime led to a swift market rebound, with the S&P 500 rising 0.7%, indicating a moderate investor optimism regarding the policy shift despite initial losses.
- Limited Economic Impact: The ruling affects approximately 60% of tariffs under the IEEPA, and while it could lead to refund requests totaling up to $175 billion, the overall economic impact is deemed limited, resulting in a muted market response.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: Oil prices surged about 5.5% over the past week due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, with projections suggesting a potential increase of $10 to $15 per barrel if the US engages in military action, highlighting the significant geopolitical risks to energy markets.
- Upcoming Economic Data: The forthcoming Producer Price Index (PPI) will provide investors with crucial insights into inflation trends, which are expected to influence the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, particularly as inflation remains persistently above target levels.
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