Australia's BHP Billiton has made a gas discovery on the deepwater LeClerc play-opening well offshore Trinidad and Tobago. BHP had been drilling for oil.
The LeClerc 1 ST01 well was drilled in Block 5, in 2500-8500ft water depth, 135mi off the east coast of Trinidad using the Transocean Deepwater Invictus drillship, according to coverage of the firm's announcement. It reached a total depth of 22,876ft, with gas encountered in multiple zones.
In a press release reported by Australian press, BHP Billiton President Petroleum Steve Pastor said: “While the focus of our program is a commercial oil discovery, we are encouraged by the results of the first well in our Trinidad and Tobago exploration campaign, LeClerc. The results will help BHP Billiton’s plans to further appraise the basin, as part of our extensive Trinidad and Tobago exploration program.”
The LeClerc well, spudded May 21, is the first of three deepwater wells in the southern region of Trinidad and Tobago and forms part of the company's planned eight-well, deepwater program in the area. BHP Billiton holds a 65% share in the block with partner Shell holding the remaining 35% through its acquisition of BG Group.
The LeClerc prospect was previously called Peg Leg but was renamed LeClerc after the 16th century french privateer who operated in the Caribbean Sea.
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BHP, BG Group win Trinidad and Tobago blocks
Image from Transocean.