ANADARKO Petroleum has made what is says is a major discovery with its Lucius exploration well drilled in the ultra-deepwater sector of the US Gulf of Mexico in Keathley Canyon Block 875.
Anadarko said the Lucius discovery well encountered more than 61m (200ft) of net pay in subsalt Pliocene and Miocene sands.
The well was drilled to a total depth of 6,096m (20,000ft) in 2,164m (7,100ft) of water using the new ultra-deepwater Ensco 8500 semi-submersible rig.
The up-dip sidetrack appraisal well will be drilled on the same block, about 975m (3,200ft) due south of the discovery.