The Vito appraisal well was drilled to a total depth of approximately 32,000ft in approximately 4050ft of water. Another sidetrack appraisal well is planned for 2010 to further delineate the discovery.
This sidetrack appraisal well, which is located in Mississippi Canyon block 940, is more than one mile from the 2009 Vito discovery well. Statoil holds a 25% working interest in the block.
Helen Butcher, head of Gulf of Mexico Exploration at Statoil, said: “The Vito oil discovery is located in an area of good reservoir development within the Miocene play. In addition to our participation in other large discoveries in this play, Statoil plans to test several new Miocene exploration opportunities through its current operated drilling campaign.”
Shell Offshore, operator, holds a 55% working interest in the discovery, Anadarko Petroleum 20% and Statoil the remaining 25%.
