Nexen, Statoil taste dust with Kakuna probe

Off the map: Kakuna probe proves unsuccessful, but Nexen says it has broad prospects in US Gulf

Canada’s Nexen has said its Kakuna subsalt well in the deep-water US Gulf of Mexico turned up no commercial hydrocarbons.

The Calgary-based, New York- and Toronto-listed explorer said the well was being plugged and abandoned after the exploration reversal at Green Canyon block 504.

Kakuna was drilled to a depth of 30,300 feet by the Ensco 8502 semi-submersible at a total cost of around $120 million, or $80 million after tax, Nexen said.

The probe, which had targeted prospective resources of 400 million barrels, was one of the first wildcat wells in the US Gulf of the post-Macondo era.

Nexen operates the prospect on a 52.5% interest, with Statoil holding 27.5%.

After the well spudded,…

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