The initial two wells will add up to 25,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil and gas and up to 50,000 bpd through eight planned wells. BP holds a 75% stake with the remainder owned by Exxon Mobil Corp.

"This has been a pivotal year for our Gulf of Mexico business," said Starlee Sykes, BP's senior vice president of Gulf of Mexico and Canada.

A fifth Gulf platform, the Argos, will begin production next year.

(Reporting by Gary McWilliams; Editing by Rashmi Aich)