Stone updates Cardona project in deepwater gulf

Stone Energy Corp., Lafayette, La., has started production testing from the Cardona Nos. 4 and 5 wells, both part of the Cardona deepwater development project in the Gulf of Mexico.

The company has tested both wells and says they will be closely monitored with flow rates ramping up over the next 4 weeks, during which time the wells are expected to reach a combined gross production volume of 12,000 boe/d.

The Cardona wells are flowing to Stone’s wholly owned and operated Pompano platform, where no incremental net operating expense is expected (OGJ Online, Apr. 28, 2014).

The Cardona subsea facility allows for tie-in of two additional wells, scheduled to be Cardona Nos. 6 and 7. Both are projected to be drilled in 2015.

Stone holds 65% working interest in both wells.

“We hope to build on this success as we initiate our multiyear deepwater drilling program in mid-2015, which we expect will feature both development and exploration drilling,” the company said.

Stone in October agreed to lease the Ensco 8503 dynamically positioned deepwater drilling rig for the company’s multiyear gulf deepwater drilling program (OGJ Online, Oct. 7, 2014).

Separately, the Madison exploration well in Mississippi Canyon 479 spud in late October and is expected to be at the targeted depth in early 2015. Stone currently controls 40% working interest in the prospect, which is operated by Noble Energy Inc.

Drilling is also projected for next year’s first quarter at both the Vernaccia prospect on Mississippi Canyon Blocks 34-35, of which Stone holds 32% interest; and the Harrier prospect on MC Block 118, of which Stone holds 37% interest.