The company made the Miocene Yeti discovery in Walker Ridge (WR) block 160, which is located approximately 15km south of the Big Foot field, and 11km from the Cascade field.
Statoil North America senior vice-president, exploration Jez Averty said: "The Yeti discovery expands the proven sub-salt Miocene play further south and west of the Big Foot field.
"We are analysing data to determine the size of the discovery in order to consider future appraisal options."
Statoil operates Yeti prospect with 50% stake while Anadarko 37.5% and Samson 12.5%.
The company used Maersk Developer drilling rig, a sixth generation semi-submersible, to drill the prospect.
Currently, the rig is deployed to drill Statoil’s Thorvald prospect in the Mississippi Canyon block 814.
Statoil is a fully integrated petroleum company with operations in thirty-six countries.
Image: Statoil used Maersk Developer drilling rig to drill Yeti prospect in Gulf of Mexico. Photo: courtesy of Jonathan Bachman – AP – Statoil.
