The coming year is shaping up to be pivotal for Talos Energy as the US independent appraises its key Zama discovery off Mexico, participates in other exploration tests in that country and advances an infrastructure-led exploration programme in the US Gulf.

The company spud its long-awaited Zama-2 appraisal well at the end of last year with the semi-submersible Ensco 8503, with results anticipated in the first quarter.

That well marked the company’s return to exploration there since the initial discovery probe was drilled in 2017, the first wildcat drilled since Mexico opened its sector to private players.