Shell, Nexen once again strike oil in Gulf of Mexico
20 Mar 2010
Royal Dutch Shell and Canadian oil explorer Nexen Inc said they had made a "significant" offshore oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico, the third such find for the partners in the area since 2003.
The discovery, which is located in the Appomattox prospect in 2,200 metres of water in Mississippi Canyon blocks 391 and 392, is the fourth such discovery for Shell in the Gulf since last year.
The multinational petroleum company of Dutch and British origins holds an 80-per cent working interest in the prospect, while its partner Nexen holds the remaining 20 per cent.
Although both companies have not disclosed any estimates, Shell said that it drilled the discovery well to a depth of 7,643 metres and encountered about 162 metres of oil pay.
It then drilled an appraisal sidetrack to 7,910 metres (25,950-feet) and encountered approximately 116 metres (380-feet) of oil pay.
''This discovery builds on a successful 2009 exploration program in the Gulf of Mexico, where Shell had discoveries at West Boreas, Vito and Cardamom Deep,'' said David Lawrence, executive vice president Exploration.
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