Energy Partners has made a second exploration discovery at South Marsh Island 109 in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico Shelf. This discovery, drilled in 189 feet of water to a measured depth of 11,300 feet (10,209 feet true vertical depth) is a follow-up exploratory well to the initial discovery on the block that was announced in early October. The well was drilled by Ensco's jackup, Ensco 88.
The South Marsh Island-2 well, located about 230 miles southwest of New Orleans was drilled immediately after the #1 well from the same surface location. The #2 well encountered apparent natural gas pay in the primary objective interval as well as in a deeper secondary objective which was not seen in the first well. Immediately after casing and suspending the #2 well, a third exploration well will be drilled from the same location.
EPL owns a 25% working interest in the block with Hunt Petroleum as the operator holding a 50% working interest. The remaining interests are held by Cheyenne International Corporation 18.75% and CL&F Resources LP 6.25%.
