U.S. oil operator GulfSlope energy has started drilling of the Canoe well in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico with the Rowan Ralph Coffman jack-up rig.
Located in 325 feet of water, drilling operations for the Canoe exploration well are expected to take approximately 15 days to reach a measured depth of 6,249 feet and will test multiple above-salt Pleistocene age amplitudes that correlate to productive zones in nearby producing fields. If successful, this well will be evaluated for development options ranging from subsea tiebacks to building a production platform, GulfSlope said.
Following the Canoe well drilling, GulfSlope will move the Ralph Coffman to drill the initial exploration well on the Tau prospect (“Tau”) on Ship Shoal Area, South Addition Blocks 336 / 351.
The Tau well is located in 305 feet of water and is planned to be drilled to a measured depth of 29,728 feet. The well will target multiple deep sub-salt formations.
The Tau application for a permit to drill is under review by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the Company anticipates receiving approval prior to spud.
GulfSlope is the operator of Canoe and Tau wells with a 20 percent working interest.
Delek GOM Investments LLC, a subsidiary of Delek Group Ltd. (“Delek”) will have a 75 percent working interest and Texas South Energy Inc. will own a five percent working interest. Under the terms of its operating agreement, GulfSlope will pay eight percent of the cost to drill the exploratory wells and 20 percent of the costs upon commercial discovery.