Recent operations at Appomattox have resulted in an oil discovery with excellent reservoir quality, following the drilling of an exploratory well and two appraisal sidetracks. Nexen has a 20% interest in Appomattox, which Shell operates and holds an 80% interest, the company said.
The discovery well, located in 7,217ft of water, was drilled to a depth of 25,077ft true vertical depth and encountered approximately 530ft gross (425ft net) true vertical thickness of oil pay.
An appraisal sidetrack was drilled to approximately 25,950ft true vertical depth and encountered approximately 380ft (360ft net) true vertical thickness of oil pay. The second sidetrack was undertaken to further delineate the discovery.
Appomattox is the third discovery in the area following early discoveries at Shiloh and Vicksburg. Additional appraisal activities are planned for later in the year and the company is investigating the development options for Appomattox and Vicksburg. The company has a 25% interest in Vicksburg and a 20% interest in Appomattox and Shiloh. Shell Offshore operates all three discoveries.
Marvin Romanow, president and CEO of Nexen, said: “The Appomattox discovery confirms our confidence in the play and provides a strong basis to evaluate the remainder of our significant acreage position in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. We are looking forward to additional drilling at Appomattox to confirm the estimate of total resource and move the discoveries towards development.”
