Final well results at the Katmai exploration well and the Dantzler appraisal well in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GoM) showed additional pay at Katmai and increased resources at Dantzler, Noble Energy Inc. said in a press release.

At Katmai, wireline logging data indicate a total of 47 m (154 ft) net of crude oil pay was discovered in multiple reservoirs including 36 m (117 ft) net in Middle Miocene and 11 m (37 ft) net in Lower Miocene reservoirs. The discovery well, located in Green Canyon 40, was drilled to a total depth of 8,504 m (27,900 ft) in 640 m (2,100 ft) of water. Total gross resources at Katmai are now estimated at between 40 MMboe and 100 MMboe including 40 MMboe to 60 MMboe discovered from this initial well. Additional exploration and appraisal drilling will be required to test the remaining upside potential.

The Dantzler-2 appraisal well, located in Mississippi Canyon 782 in the GoM, encountered 37 m (122 ft) net of crude oil pay in two high-quality Miocene reservoirs. The well was drilled to a total depth of 5,550 m (18,210 ft) in 2,012 m (6,600 ft) of water. Gross resources at Dantzler have increased to between 65 MMboe and 100 MMboe. Dantzler has been incorporated into the company’s plans in the Rio Grande development area, which alos includes discoveries at Big Bend and Troubadour. The Rio Grande development remains on schedule with first production from Big Bend expected in the fourth quarter of 2015 and Dantzler in the first quarter of 2016.

Noble Energy operates Katmai with a 50% working interest. Ridgewood Energy Corp. holds the remaining 50% working interest.

Noble Energy operates Dantzler with a 45% working interest. Additional interest ownder are entities managed by Ridgewood Energy Corp. with 35% and W&T Energy VI LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of W&T Offshore Inc., with 20%.