MEXICO: The Who Dat East exploration/appraisal well, located offshore in the US Gulf of Mexico, officially began drilling operations on 27 April 2024.

This well, situated approximately 27 kilometres east of the Who Dat Floating Production System (FPS), aims to appraise an existing discovery at Who Dat East and test additional prospective targets.

Operated by LLOG, the Noble Valiant drillship spudded the Who Dat East well on April 28, 2024.

The well, designated MC 509-1(LLOG), is located in a water depth of approximately 1,300 metres.

Its objective is to appraise a gas/condensate discovery made in 2001 and test several additional potential reservoir targets in the Middle Miocene section.

The drilling will be conducted as a deviated hole with a total measured depth of approximately 7,900 metres, expected to take approximately 55 to 60 days to complete.

Depending on the results, the well may be suspended as a potential future producer.

Karoon, a joint venture participant with a 40 per cent working interest, estimates that Who Dat East contains 5.4 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) of 2C Contingent Resources net to Karoon on a Net Revenue Interest (NRI) basis and 10.7 MMboe of unrisked 2U Prospective Resources.

The geological probability of success is estimated to be 62 per cent.

The total cost of the well to Karoon is expected to be between US$50 – 56 million, including a 2-for-1 carry capped at US$23 million.

The Who Dat East joint venture participants on a Working Interest basis are LLOG (operator) with 40 per cent, Karoon with 40 per cent, and Westlawn with 20 per cent.

The commencement of drilling at the well represents a significant step in the exploration and appraisal of this offshore asset, with potential implications for future gas and condensate production in the region.