Anadarko Petroleum confirms major oil discovery in GoM

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. announced that the Lucius sidetrack appraisal well, located in Keathley Canyon Block 875 in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, has encountered almost 600 net ft of high quality oil pay with additional gas condensate pay in thick subsalt Pliocene and Miocene sands.

A substantial resource potential

‘The successful Lucius appraisal well confirms this is a major discovery with substantial resource potential,’ said Bob Daniels, Anadarko Sr. Vice President, Worldwide Exploration. ‘We were very encouraged by what we saw in the discovery well, and the results from this appraisal further heighten our enthusiasm. The reservoirs are characterised by excellent porosity and permeability and contain high quality oil. We anticipate additional appraisal activity in 2010 as we continue to evaluate development options for this very large accumulation.’

The Lucius appraisal well was drilled as an up-dip sidetrack, approximately 3200 ft due south of the discovery well. It was drilled to a total depth of approximately 20 600 ft in approximately 7100 ft of water. The Lucius discovery well, announced last month, was drilled to a total depth of approximately 20 000 ft and encountered more than 200 net ft of pay.

Anadarko operates the Lucius well with a 50% working interest. Co-owners in the discovery include Plains Exploration & Production Co. with a 33.33% working interest and Mariner Energy, Inc. with 16.67% working interest.

The next venture

Once operations are complete at the Lucius appraisal well, Anadarko plans to move the rig to drill an appraisal of Anadarko's subsalt Miocene Heidelberg discovery in the Green Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico, which was announced in early 2009. Anadarko operates Heidelberg with a 44.25% working interest.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/09022010/anadarko_petroleum_confirms_major_oil_discovery_in_gom/