Resources estimated for subsalt Gulf of Mexico well

July 1, 2019
A subsalt wildcat plugged for possible reentry last month in the Gulf of Mexico has prospective resources estimated at 184.8 million bbl of oil and 314.2 bcf of natural gas in six target zones, reports 75% partner Delek GOM Investments LLC.

A subsalt wildcat plugged for possible reentry last month in the Gulf of Mexico has prospective resources estimated at 184.8 million bbl of oil and 314.2 bcf of natural gas in six target zones, reports 75% partner Delek GOM Investments LLC.

Netherland, Sewell & Associates Inc. based the estimates on drilling results from the Gulf Slope Energy Inc. Tau-1 well, reprocessing in 2018 of 3D seismic data acquired in 2003-05, data from nearby oil and gas wells, and other geological and engineering information, Delek said (OGJ Online, July 27, 2018).

Gulf Slope Energy plugged the well after halting drilling with the well at 15,242 ft MD in 305 ft of water on Ship Shoal South Addition Blocks 336 and 351. Target depth was 29,857 ft.

“Complex geomechanical conditions required two bypass wellbores, one sidetrack wellbore, and eight casing strings to reach the current depth,” Gulf Slope said in a press release.

The operator said the well yielded hydrocarbon shows but did not establish commercial pay.

It said equipment limitations and commitment to another operator of the Rowan Ralph Coffman jack up rig required it to cease drilling.

Drilling, pressure, and reservoir information confirmed geophysical and geological models, it said.

The well was designed to test Upper and Middle Miocene sand series targets over a 14,000-ft vertical section down the flank of a salt feeder stock below the base of an associated salt sheet.

The target subsalt strata produce oil at subsalt Mahogany field 5 miles to the southwest.

Gulf Slope holds a 20% working interest. Texas South Energy Inc. holds a 5% interest.