Shell makes deep-water oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico

Shell has made a large oil discovery with its Dover exploration well in the Norphlet geologic play in the deep-water US Gulf of Mexico.

The Dover discovery, drilled by the Transocean Deepwater Poseidon ultra-deep water drillship, is Shell’s sixth in the Norphlet and encountered more than 800 net feet (244 metres) of pay.

The well was drilled in Mississippi Canyon block 612, located about 170 miles (273 kilometres) south-east of New Orleans, in a water depth of 7,500 feet (2,280 metres) to a total vertical drilling depth of 29,000 feet (8,839 metres) measured depth.

Andy Brown, Upstream Director for Royal Dutch Shell, said: “Dover showcases our expertise in discovering new, commercial resources in a heartland helping deliver our deep-water growth priority. By focusing on near-field exploration opportunities in the Norphlet, we are adding to our resource base in a prolific basin which will be anchored by the Appomattox development.”

The discovery is located about 13 miles (21 kilometres) from the Appomattox host and is considered an attractive potential tieback.

Shell’s Appomattox host has now arrived on location in the US Gulf of Mexico and is expected to start production before the end of 2019.

The Appomattox platform is owned by Shell (79%) and Nexen Petroleum Offshore USA Inc. (21%).

Source: Offshore Magazine