Noble sidetracks Deep Blue to check commerciality

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 13 -- Noble Energy Inc., Houston, is sidetracking its Deep Blue exploration well in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico to determine the extent and commerciality of pay zones it encountered.

After the company earlier decided to extend the planned drilling depth, the well was drilled to 32,684 ft on Green Canyon Block 723 in 5,098 ft of water. It found hydrocarbon pay in multiple Miocene intervals. Sidetrack operations are expected to take as many as 45 days.

Additional details about the well were not immediately available. The company earlier described the large Deep Blue subsalt project as one of its biggest in the gulf on GC Blocks 723 and 724.

Noble operates the well with 33.75%. Partners include BHP Billiton Petroleum (Deepwater) Inc. 31.875%, Statoil USA E&P Inc. 15.625%, Murphy Oil Corp. 9.375%, and Samson Offshore Co. 9.375%.