New Discovery in GOM, Vito Appraisal
Statoil USA E&P Inc. announced that the Shell operated Vito appraisal well in deep water Gulf of Mexico has encountered more than 600 net feet of high-quality oil pay in thick subsalt Miocene sands. This sidetrack appraisal well, which is located in Mississippi Canyon block 940, is more than one mile from the 2009 Vito discovery well. Statoil holds a 25% working interest in the block. “The Vito oil discovery is located in an area of good reservoir development within the Miocene play. In addition to our participation in other large discoveries in this play, Statoil plans to test several new Miocene exploration opportunities through its current operated drilling campaign,” said Helen Butcher, head of Gulf of Mexico Exploration.
StatoilHydro Discovery in GOM Deepwater
StatoilHydro has together with operator Anadarko and partners made a discovery in the Vito prospect in deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The Vito well is located in Mississippi Canyon block 984, about 70 kilometres southwest of the Thunder Hawk field. The well was drilled to a total depth of 9,757 metres and is believed to have encountered some 80 metres of net pay, although final test results are still pending. "Vito is our second discovery in the Gulf so far this year. Both Heidelberg and Vito are located in the Miocene play, in areas known for good quality sand development," explains Helen Butcher, head of StatoilHydro's exploration in the Gulf of Mexico.
Discovery in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
StatoilHydro, operator Anadarko and partners have made a discovery in the Heidelberg prospect in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The Heidelberg well is located in Green Canyon block 859 about 16 kilometers south of the Caesar discovery. The well was drilled to a total depth of about 9,000 meters and encountered some 60 meters of oil pay. The operator has announced plans for an appraisal well at Heidelberg scheduled for the second half of 2009. "Heidelberg is a promising discovery located close to several other finds and the current Tahiti development in which StatoilHydro has a working interest," said Helen Butcher, StatoilHydro's general manager for exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. "Heidelberg is a part of the Miocene play known for high quality sands," Ms Butcher said.
