Talos Energy Inc. said Jan. 15 that its Katmai West #2 well in the Ewing Bank area of the U.S Gulf of Mexico successfully encountered 400 ft of gross oil and natural gas pay.

The well, drilled to a true vertical depth of 27,000 ft, is expected to deliver in-line with pre-drill estimates of approximately 15,000 boe/d to 20,000 boe/d gross, the company said. First production is expected late second- quarter 2025.

The well encountered the primary target sand full-to-base with “excellent rock properties,” the company said.

John Spath, Talos' interim co-president, executive vice president and head of operations, said the deepwater well was 35% under budget and more than a month ahead of schedule, demonstrating “our ability to efficiently execute complex projects while maintaining top safety and environmental standards.”

Katmai West
 (Source: Talos Energy investor presentation)

Combined with the Katmai West #1 well, the Katmai West #2 well has nearly doubled the Katamai West Field’s proved EUR to approximately 50 MMboe gross, Talos said. That further affirms the company's expected total resource potential of approximately 100 MMBoe gross, Talos said.

Last year, Talos added a 50% working interest in the Katmai discovery in its $1.29 billion acquisition of QuarterNorth Energy Inc. Talos is the operator. Entities managed by Ridgewood Energy Corp. holding the other 50% in Katmai West Field.

The drillship West Vela began drilling the Katmai West #2 well in late October 2024. Talos plans to case and suspend the well by late January 2025 while the company finalizes completion plans to be executed in the second quarter.

The well will be connected to the existing subsea infrastructure that flows to Talos’ 100% owned Tarantula facility, which has been expanded to increase capacity to 35,000 boe/d.