No hydrocarbons at W&T’s Gulf of Mexico exploration well

W&T Offshore has failed to find hydrocarbons in the ST 224 #1 offshore exploration well in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Its partner in the project Otto Energy on Friday said the well had been drilled to a total measured depth of 10,900 feet (3,322 meters).

The targeted BN sand interval was intersected close to prognosis at 10,330 feet (3,149 meters) measured depth, however based on log observations the sand is considered to be water bearing, Otto said. ST 224 #1 will now be plugged and abandoned.

The prospect, which sits in approximately 170 feet of water, has been drilled using the Enterprise 264 jack-up drilling rig.

Otto’s Managing Director, Matthew Allen, commented: “The outcome of the ST224 #1 exploration well is a disappointing start to the drilling program that Otto is currently involved in. Otto would like to thank the operator, W&T Offshore, and our partner, Houston Energy, for a well planned and executed drilling program. We look forward to continuing our relationship with future opportunities.”

Otto looks forward to the outcome of the SM 71 F2 well in the coming weeks, the company said.

This well was spudded well on earlier in December evening, using the Ensco 68 jack-up rig.

The SM 71 F2 well has two targets: the D5 Sand and the B65 Sand. The primary target in the F2 well is the D5 Sand which will serve as an additional D5 take point and extend the D5 proven reserves down-dip from the F1 well.

Otto has said that the second target, the highly prospective B65 Sand, has the potential to double the current field size of SM 71 and will be tested first before drilling ahead to the D5 sand. The well is expected to take around one month to drill and evaluate.