Shell makes deepwater oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico

Offshore staff

HOUSTON– Shell has made a large oil discovery with its Dover exploration well in the Norphlet geologic play in the deepwater US Gulf of Mexico. 

The Dover discovery, drilled by theTransoceanDeepwater Poseidon ultra-deepwater drillship, is Shell’s sixth in the Norphlet and encountered more than 800 net ft (244 m) of pay.

The well was drilled in Mississippi Canyon block 612, located about 170 mi (273 km) southeast of New Orleans, in a water depth of 7,500 ft (2,280 m) to a total vertical drilling depth of 29,000 ft (8,839 m) 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 deepwater growth priority. By focusing on near-field exploration opportunities in the Norphlet, we are adding to our resource base in a prolific basin that will be anchored by theAppomattox development.”

The discovery is located about 13 mi (21 km) 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.

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

05/24/2018