Shell hits oil in Gulf of Mexico deepwater
Offshore staff
HOUSTON -- Shell has made an oil discovery at the Appomattox
prospect in the US Gulf of Mexico Mississippi Canyon blocks
392. Transocean’s semisubmersible Deepwater Nautilus drilled the well.
The discovery wells was drilled in 2,200 m (7,217 ft) water depth to
7,643 m (25,077 ft) TD and encountered 162 m (530 ft) of oil pay. A
follow-up appraisal well was drilled to 7,910 m (25,950 ft) and
encountered 116 m (380 ft) of oil pay. A second sidetrack was
undertaken and further drilling in the area is planned for later this year to
confirm the field’s resource potential. Partner Nexen says the well results
have exceeded pre-drill estimates.
Appomattox is the third discovery in the area following early discoveries
at Shiloh (Shell 80%, Nexen 20%) and Vicksburg (Shell 75%, Nexen
25%) which were drilled in 2003 and 2007, respectively. Development
planning for Appomattox is under way, which may include Vicksburg
located about 10 km (6 mi) east of the discovery in DeSoto Canyon block
353.
Shell operates Appomattox with an 80% working interest and Nexen
holds the remaining 20%.
3/19/2010