Noble Energy, Inc. announced that the Bright exploration well in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico reached the targeted Upper and Middle Miocene objectives and did not encounter any hydrocarbons.
The well was drilled to a total depth of 13,500 ft on Atwater Valley 362, and has now been plugged and abandoned. Full well assessment and the integration of drilling results into Noble’s geologic models is ongoing to determine future exploration plans on the Atwater Valley acreage.
Susan Cunningham, Senior Vice President, Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, and Frontier, commented: "While we are disappointed with the results of the Bright well, we remain extremely encouraged by the recent success of our exploration program in the Gulf. We look forward to results at our Katmai and Dantlzer exploration wells later this month."
BP Exploration & Production Inc. operated the well with 50% working interest and Noble Energy had the remaining 50%. The company expects third quarter 2014 exploration expense to remain within guidance of US$ 150 to US$ 250 million.
Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward