Noble Energy reports deepwater GOM discovery

Noble Energy Inc., Houston, reported "high quality pay" in one objective and identified pay in a second objective of its Redrock prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi Canyon Block 204 No. 1.

April 20, 2006

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 20 -- Noble Energy Inc., Houston, reported "high quality pay" in one objective and identified pay in a second objective of its Redrock prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi Canyon Block 204 No. 1.

The well was spudded in 3,334 ft of water on Dec. 30, 2005, and drilled to 23,365 ft TMD.

Noble is operator of the Redrock and adjacent Raton prospects with a 50% interest. Partners are Samson Offshore Co. and Energy Partners Ltd., 25% each.

While Noble performs reservoir modeling on Redrock, it is moving the rig to drill Raton on Mississippi Canyon Block 248. It will spud the well this month in 3,379 ft of water. The company plans to drill the Raton well to 20,000 ft TMD and complete drilling by late summer.