Shell has said it has made a large, deep-water, exploration discovery in the Norphlet geologic play in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico with its Dover well.
This is Shell’s sixth discovery in the Norphlet play and encountered more than 800 net feet of pay (244 meters).
The well was drilled in Mississippi Canyon Block 612, located approximately 170 miles (273 kilometers) offshore southeast of New Orleans, in a water depth of 7,500 feet (2,280 meters) to a total vertical drilling depth of 29,000 feet (6,780 meters) measured depth.
Shell told Offshore Energy Today that the well was drilled using the Transocean-owned Deepwater Poseidon drillship.
The discovery is located approximately 13 miles from the Appomattox host and is considered an attractive potential tieback.
Shell’s Appomattox host has now arrived on location in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and is expected to start production before the end of 2019.
“Dover showcases our expertise in discovering new, commercial resources in a heartland helping deliver our deep-water growth priority,” said Andy Brown, Upstream Director for Royal Dutch Shell.
“By focusing on near-field exploration opportunities in the Norphlet, we are adding to our resource base in a prolific basin that will be anchored by the Appomattox development.”
Shell said its major, deep-water hubs were well positioned for production expansion through near-field exploration and additional subsea tiebacks.
The company said it expected its global, deep-water production to exceed 900,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2020, from already discovered, established areas.
Offshore Energy Today Staff
Related:
Shell sends giant deepwater platform to Gulf of Mexico