On the job: the Ensco 8500, pictured here under construction
Anadarko taps Lucius gusher
US independent Anadarko Petroleum has hit more than 200 feet of net pay in sub-salt sands with the Lucius exploration well drilled in Keathley Canyon Block 875, in the US Gulf of Mexico's ultra-deep play.
Anadarko said the well's pay was in Pliocene and Miocene sands.
Company executive Bob Daniels said: “Lucius is a three-way structure against salt, and the results of the well indicate thick reservoir sands with very good porosity and permeability.
"We are continuing to gather data to evaluate the fluids from the well.
"These initial results are very encouraging, so we plan to immediately drill an up-dip sidetrack appraisal well to delineate the reservoir’s areal extent."
Daniels added that Lucius could be brought on stream quickly via a tieback to the Red Hawk cell spar.
The Lucius find was drilled to a total depth of about 20,000 feet in about 7100 feet of water, using the newbuild ultra-deep water semi-submersible drilling rig Ensco 8500.
The up-dip sidetrack appraisal well will be drilled on the same block, about 3200 feet due south of the discovery.
Anadarko operates Lucius with a 50% stake. Its partners include Plains Exploration & Production and Mariner Energy.