Offshore Staff

(US, GoM) - Noble Energy drilled a successful well on its Raton prospect located in Mississippi Canyon block 248 in 3,400 ft of water.

The discovery well No. 1 was drilled to a total measured depth of 20,106 ft and encountered 90 ft of hydrocarbon pay over three zones, according to Noble. The well has been temporarily abandoned pending further delineation drilling, currently scheduled in 4Q06.

"The results of the initial well at Raton are encouraging, particularly in light of the proximity of the well to our Redrock discovery," says Dave Stover, Noble's senior VP for North America.

"The Raton delineation, planned for the fourth quarter, along with expected appraisal work at our recent Redrock discovery just five mi to the north, will be important in helping us formulate a combined development plan for both discoveries," he says.

Noble Energy and its partners were also awarded two additional blocks adjacent to Redrock and Raton in OCS Lease Sale 198 held last March. The company now has eight contiguous leases across the area.

Noble Energy is the operator of Raton with a 50% working interest; Samson Offshore and Energy Partners each hold a 25% working interest.

06/15/06