Deep South Louisiana, GOM shelf prospects score

Feb. 26, 2007
McMoRan Exploration Co., New Orleans, reported apparent discoveries at two deep Tertiary prospects in South Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico shelf.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Feb. 26 -- McMoRan Exploration Co., New Orleans, reported apparent discoveries at two deep Tertiary prospects in South Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico shelf.

Logs at the Laphroaig exploratory well onshore in St. Mary Parish indicated a potential 56 net ft of hydrocarbon-bearing sands in a 75-ft gross interval. The well is drilled to 20,250 ft measured depth, 19,060 ft true vertical depth, and is near production infrastructure. Working interests are McMoRan 50%, Energy XXI (Bermuda) Ltd. 31.5%, and a private partner the rest.

The Hurricane Deep well, in 12 ft of water on South Marsh Island Block 217, is drilling below 20,600 ft TVD and projected to 21,500 ft.

"Logging while drilling tools have indicated that an exceptionally thick upper Gyro sand was encountered totaling 900 gross ft. The top of this Gyro sand is credited with a potential of 50 ft of net hydrocarbons in a 53-ft gross interval," McMoRan said. "These exceptional sand thicknesses suggest that prospects in the Mound Point/JB Mountain/Hurricane/Blueberry Hill area may have thick sands as potential Gyro reservoirs," it said.

Logs indicated that the well previously cut 27 net ft of hydrocarbon-bearing sands in a 200-ft gross interval in a laminated Rob L section and a potential 20 ft of hydrocarbon-bearing sands in a 70-ft Operc section. The well is near production facilities. McMoRan's interest is 25%.