Noble Energy Inc., Houston, is mobilizing a rig to Green Canyon Block 39 in the Gulf of Mexico for appraisal drilling at the Katmai oil discovery after drilling a dry hole with its Silvergate exploration well on Mississippi Canyon Block 339.
The firm says the well is designed to test additional gross resource potential beyond the 40-60 million boe already discovered. Results from the well are expected in the early part of the fourth quarter.
Noble Energy in 2014 discovered a total of 154 net ft of crude oil pay in multiple reservoirs from Katmai, including 117 net ft in Middle Miocene and 37 net ft in Lower Miocene reservoirs, according to wireline logging data (OGJ Online, Aug. 28, 2014). The discovery well was drilled to a total depth of 27,900 ft in 2,100 ft of water.
At the time, the firm estimated total gross resources at Katmai to fall between 40-100 million boe including the 40-60 million boe already discovered.
Potential development at Katmai would likely involve a subsea tie-back into existing infrastructure. Noble Energy operates Katmai with 38% interest in the appraisal well.
Noble Energy’s total exploration expense in the first quarter is now expected to be toward the upper end of the previously-provided $130-170 million guidance range.
