Italian explorer Eni is set to spud its deepwater Gulf of Mexico Vernaccia exploration well in early October, according to partner Louisiana-based Stone Energy.
The Vernaccia prospect, in Mississippi Canyon Block 35, will target the Miocene interval in a four-way structure. The drilling program is expected to take three months, according to Stone. Eni currently has the ENSCO 8500 semisubmersible contracted in the Gulf. Stone Energy places Vernaccia's gross resources at 8-124 MMboe. The prospect could also be a potential tieback to its Pompano development.
Elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, Stone Energy announced that it expects to resume operations on the Amethyst discovery before 1 October, following the completion of scheduled maintenance on the ENSCO 8503 deepwater drilling rig. The ENSCO 8503 has been outfitted with mooring capabilities, and will be mobilized to Mississippi Canyon block 26 to finish the completion of the Amethyst discovery, where Stone holds 100% working interest.
Stone Energy says Amethyst will be tied back to the Pompano platform, where first production is expected early in 1Q 2016. After the Amethyst completion, the rig will move on to drill the Cardona No. 7 development well, followed by the Lamprey and Derbio deepwater exploration prospects.
In January, Technip won two contracts for flexible pipe supply and installation at the Amethyst field. Technip’s operating center in Houston will manage the project which is scheduled to be completed during 2H 2015.
Image: ENSCO 8503
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