ANADARKO has made another major hydrocarbons discovery in the US Gulf of Mexico. A sidetrack appraisal of the Lucius discovery well has revealed almost 183m net (600ft) of high-quality oil pay with additional gas condensate pay.
Lucius is located on Keathley Canyon block 875 in thick subsalt Pliocene and Miocene sands.
Bob Daniels, Anadarko senior vice-president, worldwide exploration, said in a statement: “The successful Lucius appraisal well confirms this is a major discovery with substantial resource potential.
“We were very encouraged by what we saw in the discovery well, andthe 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 was drilled with the semi-submersible drilling rig, Ensco 8500, as an up-dip sidetrack about 975m (3,200ft) due south of the discovery well.
It was drilled to a total depth of 6,279m (20,600ft) in about 2,164m (7,100ft) water depth.