Spinnaker makes four Gulf of Mexico discoveries

May 24, 2001
Spinnaker Exploration Co., Houston, announced it has made four discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico. Three of the operations established new fields and one a deeper pool discovery.


HOUSTON, May 24 -- Spinnaker Exploration Co., Houston, announced it has made four discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico.

Three of the operations established new fields and one a deeper pool discovery.

South Timbalier Block 274 No. 1 well found pay in three separate Bul-1 reservoirs between 12,250 and 12,480 ft TVD. Facility design is underway, and Spinnaker expects first production in the first quarter of 2002.

Spinnaker owns 100% working interest and 83% net revenue interest in the well and block, in 265 ft of water 70 miles south of Bay Marchand, La.

The High Island 202 No. 7 well found productive field pays as well as productive Rob M sands. It was the first test of those sands on the HI 202 structure. Spinnaker will complete the well soon, and develop it as a caisson tieback 3,000 ft north to the HI 202 platform. Spinnaker operates the field with 75% working interest and 62% net revenue interest.

The company drilled two wells on West Cameron Block 459 that tested separate geologic structures. It will drill at least one more well there.

West Cameron 459 No. 1 found 44 ft of pay in the Pleistocene I sand target. Spinnaker owns 50% working interest and 42% net revenue interest in the well. The No. 2 well found 89 ft of pay in its two main Pleistocene-age objectives. Spinnaker owns 100% working interest and 83% net revenue interest in the well.

Platform and facility design is under way; production from the block, in 134 ft of water 85 miles south of Cameron, La., is expected in early 2002.

Spinnaker also said it participated in the Murphy Oil Corp.-operated Seventeen Hands and Front Runner discoveries. Murphy owns 37.5% of both prospects; Spinnaker owns 25%; and Dominion Exploration & Production Inc. owns 37.5%.

Seventeen Hands is in 5,450 ft of water on Mississippi Canyon Block 299. Murphy is drilling a sidetrack. Spinnaker owns 25% working interest and 25% net revenue interest.

Front Runner is on Green Canyon 338 and 339 in 3,500 ft of water. The discovery well found 850 ft of pay, and Murphy drilled a sidetrack that confirmed the existence of other field pays downdip. Murphy is sidetracking the well to the Front Runner South prospect.