By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 8 -- ExxonMobil Corp. and StatoilHydro AS have made an oil discovery 265 miles southwest of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico. Drilled to a total depth of 9,500 m, the Julia discovery well lies in 2,000 m of water.
Partner StatoilHydro said further appraisal drilling is planned this year to determine the extent of the discovery. "This is a promising oil discovery," said Helen Butcher, StatoilHydro's exploration manager for deepwater Gulf of Mexico. "StatoilHydro is a major lease holder in Walker Ridge. This discovery supports our firm belief in this area," she added.
Julia is the first well drilled under a 2005 exploration agreement between StatoilHydro and ExxonMobil in deepwater gulf. StatoilHydro is participating in further developing two additional finds in the same area: Jack and St. Malo. Both are scheduled to come on stream after 2013.
