By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 2 � At least two wells could set drilling depth records in the Mississippi Fan fold belt in the central Gulf of Mexico soon.
Shell Offshore Inc. has proposed to drill to 32,600 ft on Atwater Valley Block 267 using the Transocean Nautilus semisubmersible. Anadarko Petroleum Corp. calls this the Vrede prospect and has a 25% working interest.
Unocal Corp. spudded a well late in the first quarter destined for 32,500 ft targeting the Lower and Middle Miocene in Green Canyon Block 512 using Transocean's Discoverer Spirit drillship. Anadarko's interest in the Knotty Head prospect is 25%.
Anadarko also has a 25% interest in the Pathfinder prospect operated by Shell on Green Canyon Block 390.
Anadarko previously announced a discovery at a fourth Miocene exploration well, the Genghis Khan well on Green Canyon Block 652 on the western flank of Shenzi field (OGJ Online, Apr. 27, 2005).