Lloyd Ridge's first test possible in Anadarko's 2003 gulf program

March 24, 2003
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. plans a busy year in the Gulf of Mexico, where it is to drill as many as 10 exploration wells including possibly the first well in the Lloyd Ridge area in the eastern gulf.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. plans a busy year in the Gulf of Mexico, where it is to drill as many as 10 exploration wells including possibly the first well in the Lloyd Ridge area in the eastern gulf.

The Houston operator budgeted $363 million for development, more than double 2002 development spending.

The $98 million exploration outlay is far lower than in 2002 but is more heavily focused on drilling.

Five of the 10 planned exploration wells are on deepwater acreage, three are subsalt ventures, and two are conventional shelf tests.

Anadarko is to spud the first well on the Jubilee prospect in the first quarter. It is to be drilled in 8,825 ft of water.

The company holds interests in 17 blocks at Jubilee, mostly in the northeastern Atwater Valley area. Three of the blocks are in the Lloyd Ridge area in the Minerals Management Service Eastern Gulf Planning Area.

East of Jubilee, Anadarko has received a permit to drill on Lloyd Ridge Block 360. The well is to be drilled in 9,100 ft of water. The gulf water depth record is 9,743 ft at a well on Alaminos Canyon Block 903. Anadarko applied for the permit on Feb. 18, PennEnergy Data reported.

The LL 360 well is part of Anadarko's Hawkeye prospect, which includes LL blocks 315, 316, 359, and 360.

The site of the Hawkeye well is about 70 miles southeast of giant Thunder Horse oil and gas field in the Mississippi Canyon area. Anadarko obtained the Hawkeye acreage in the eastern gulf sale in December 2001.

Jubilee and Hawkeye, both Anadarko 100% working interest, are 250 miles southeast of New Orleans and about the same distance due south of Mobile, Ala.

Anadarko expects its net production from the gulf to climb nearly 13% to 22 million bbl in 2003 as a result of several development projects. The 30 planned development wells will include 18 conventional wells on the shelf, where the majority of the company's gulf production growth is expected to start up in 2003.

Six subsalt shelf development wells and recompletions are planned, including more drilling at Mahogany and Hickory fields and at the Tarantula discovery on South Timbalier Block 308, set to come on line in late 2004.

Six deepwater development wells are planned around the Marco Polo and K2 discoveries. Marco Polo is set to start up in early 2004.