Appomattox Appomattox
OIL & GAS FIELD
Field Name Appomattox Discovery Date Dec 2009
Block Mississippi Canyon 391, 392 Reserve Type Oil
Current
Status
Discovery (Appraised) Production Start
Water Depth 2,222 m / 7,333 ft
 
 
Description
 
Located on Mississippi Canyon Blocks 391 and 392 in ultra-deep water in the Gulf of Mexico is the Appomattox prospect. Pioneer Natural Resources acquired the two blocks at the Central GOM Lease Sale No. 190, and then Shell acquired both leases in Oct. 2007 and assumed operatorship. Shell operates Appomattox with an 80 percent stake; while Nexen holds the remaining interest.

Appomattox is situated in 7,290 feet (2,222 meters) of water.

In June 2009, Shell submitted an IEP to MMS proposing to drill five wells on Block 392 and one well on Block 391 using the Transocean's Deepwater Nautilus. Drilling is expected to commence during the third quarter of 2009 and exploratory drilling is targeting oil.

Shell made an oil discovery on the prospect in the first quarter of 2010. Drilled by the Deepwater Nautilus, the discovery well reached a total depth of 25,075 feet (7,643 meters) and encountered roughly 531 feet (162 meters) of oil pay. Shell then drilled an appraisal sidetrack well to a depth of 25,951 feet (7,910 meters) and encountered roughly 381 feet (116 meters) of oil pay.

The operator appraised the find, encountering about 150 feet (46 meters) of oil pay. Shell will continue to appraise the find in 2012 with an additional wells in three large fault blocks to further delineate the hydrocarbon accumulation.
 
Activities
 
Shell, Nexen Continue Winning Streak at Appomattox
Date: Apr. 2012
Type: Appraisal Operations
Shell has successfully drilled the northeast fault block of the Appomattox structure in the Gulf of Mexico. The company demonstrated contingent recoverable resource in the northeast block of approximately 215 MMboe, with a range of 120 to 370 MMboe of light oil. Future planned appraisal drilling will further refine this range.
Shell Successfully Appraises Appomattox
Date: Feb. 2012
Type: Appraisal Operations
Shell has successfully appraised the Appomattox discovery in Mississippi Canyon Block 348 in the GOM. The well, located in a water depth of 7,257 feet (2,212 meters), reached a total depth of 25,851 feet (7,879 meters) and encountered about 150 feet (46 meters) of oil pay. The operator will continue to appraise the find in 2012 with an additional well in the southwest fault block and a sidetrack appraisal in the northwest fault block to further delineate the hydrocarbon accumulation. Further Appomattox and Vicksburg appraisals, if warranted, may extend into early 2013, stated Shell.
Shell Appraises Appomattox Discovery
Date: Aug. 2011
Type: Appraisal Operations
Shell has commenced appraisal drilling on the Appomattox field in Mississippi Canyon Block 348. The operator is using the Deepwater Nautilus semisub to drill the wells. The prospect, located on Mississippi Canyon Block 392 in a water depth of 7,290 feet (2,222 meters), is wholly owned and operated by Shell.
Shell Gets Nod to Drill in GOM
Date: May. 2011
Type: Status Update
BOEMRE has approved Shell’s exploration plan for its Appomattox field, located on Mississippi Canyon Blocks 391 and 392. The plan includes five proposed wells and three previously approved wells. Shell plans to use the Deepwater Nautilus semisub to drill the wells.
Shell Hits Oil Pay in Deepwater GOM
Date: Mar. 2010
Type: New Discovery
Shell made an oil discovery in the eastern Gulf of Mexico on the Appomattox prospect, which is positioned in 7,217 feet (2,200 meters) of water. Drilled by the Deepwater Nautilus, the discovery well reached a total depth of 25,077 feet (7,643 meters) and encountered roughly 530 feet (162 meters) of oil pay. Shell then drilled an appraisal sidetrack well to a depth of 25,950 feet (7,910 meters) and encountered roughly 380 feet (116 meters) of oil pay. The operator plans to further appraise the find this year. Appomattox is located on Mississippi Canyon Blocks 391 and 392, and Shell operates the prospect with an 80% interest while Nexen holds the remaining 20%.
The Deepwater Nautilus to Spud Exploration Well at Appomattox Prospect
Date: Aug. 2009
Type: Status Update
Transocean's Deepwater Natilus is slated to spud an exploration well at Shell's Appomattox prospect. The prospect, located on Mississippi Canyon Block 392 in a water depth of 7,290 feet (2,222 meters), is wholly owned and operated by Shell.
Shell Submits EP to MMS for Mississippi Canyon Blocks 391 & 392
Date: Jun. 2009
Type: Status Update
Shell submitted an Initial Exploration Plan to MMS for Mississippi Canyon Blocks 391 and 392. The plan proposes to drill six wells on MC392 locations A, B, D, E, F and MC391 location C with the TSF Nautilus or similar semisub rig. Shell acquired 100% interest of Blocks MC391 and 392 in October 2007, and serves as operator of both blocks.
 
Status History
 
Appomattox

Discovery (Appraised) - May 15, 2012 to -
Appraisal Drilling - Mar 02, 2012 to May 14, 2012
Appraisal Drilling - Aug 10, 2011 to Mar 01, 2012
Discovery (Drilled) - Dec 2009 to Aug 09, 2011
Drilled by Transocean's Deepwater Nautilus, the discovery is located at the Appomattox prospect in 2,200 meters (7,217 feet) of water in Mississippi Canyon blocks 391 and 392.
Exploratory Drilling - Aug 2009 to Dec 2009
TO's Deepwater Nautilus to drill exploratory well at MC392.
Bright Spot - Jul 01, 2004 to Aug 2009
Pioneer Natural Resources acquired Mississippi Canyon blocks 391 & 392 at the 3/17/2004 Central GOM Lease Sale #190 with bids of 760987.00(MC391) & 861544.00(MC392); Leases expire 6/30/2014. Shell acquired both leases in Oct. 2007 and assumed operatorship with a 100% interest.
 
Project Map N. America - US GOM
Line Separator