The Madagascar exploration well aimed to test a four-way closure in the Jurassic Norphlet sandstone in De Soto Canyon Block 757.
The well, spud in late September last year, was drilled with the semi-submersible Ensco 8502 in about 8400 feet of water and had a targeted depth of about 25,000 feet.
Marathon spokeswoman Lee Warren confirmed that the well was "unsuccessful".
Global Hunter Securities said in its weekly Well Watcher report on Wednesday that the company expects to plug and abandon the well.
"(Marathon)
