Statoil strikes oil in Gulf of Mexico’s Yeti prospect

April 9, 2015
Statoil ASA has made an oil discovery in the Miocene Yeti prospect of Walker Ridge Block 160 in the Gulf of Mexico.

Statoil ASA has made an oil discovery in the Miocene Yeti prospect of Walker Ridge Block 160 in the Gulf of Mexico.

“The Yeti discovery expands the proven subsalt Miocene play further south and west of the Big Foot field,” explained Jez Averty, Statoil senior vice-president, exploration, North America. “We are analyzing data to determine the size of the discovery in order to consider future appraisal options.”

The discovery, 9 miles south of Big Foot field and 7 miles from Cascade field, was drilled by the Maersk Developer drilling rig, a sixth generation semisubmersible.

Statoil says its drilling efficiency on Yeti was among the best of any well drilled in Walker Ridge, achieving a rate of 400 ft/day. The rig has since moved to drill Statoil’s Thorvald prospect on Mississippi Canyon Block 814.

Statoil is operator of Yeti with 50% interest, partnering with Anadarko Petroleum Corp. 37.5% and Samson Offshore LLC 12.5%.