BP, partners to appraise Puma West oil discovery

BP and partners will begin planning an appraisal program to better define an oil discovery in the US Gulf of Mexico Green Canyon Block 821. Preliminary data supports the potential for a commercial volume of hydrocarbons, the company said in a release Apr. 13.

The Puma West well—15 miles from BP-operated Mad Dog field and 131 miles off the coast of Louisiana in 4,108 ft of water—was drilled to a total depth of 23,530 ft. It encountered oil pay in a high-quality target sub-salt Miocene sand. Fluid properties from the discovered zone carried similar properties as other productive Miocene reservoirs in the area.

The wellbore has been suspended as a keeper well to preserve future utility.  

BP is operator with 50% interest. Talos Energy Inc. and Chevron each hold a 25%.

The Puma West exploration prospect was evaluated following the farm-in by BP to Green Canyon Block 821 and subsequent farm-in by Chevron USA Inc. (OGJ Online, Sept. 19, 2019).