By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 13 -- BP PLC and partners BHP Billiton and Unocal Corp. reported an oil discovery on Green Canyon Block 823 in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico with the drilling of their Puma-1 exploration well.
The well, which was drilled using the BP-operated Ocean Confidence drillship 140 miles off Louisiana, found about 500 ft of net oil pay in Miocene sandstones. The well was drilled to 19,034 ft TMD in 4,130 ft of water.
Two subsequent sidetrack bores also encountered oil in reservoir intervals of a similar age, partner BHP said. Technical data was taken from the straight hole and sidetrack bores.
The well was drilled in a "structurally complex subsurface area and in a zone where seismic imaging data is of only moderate quality," said Steve Bell, BHP president, exploration and business development. For this reason, the partners plan further seismic reprocessing and appraisal drilling in order to evaluate the size and significance of the discovery, Bell added.
Drilling of Puma-1 began on Aug. 14, 2003. The well lies just 8 miles west of the BP-operated Mad Dog development on Green Canyon Blocks 825 and 826.
BP holds 51.66% interest in the well, while BHP holds 33.34% and Unocal 15%.
