Newfield announces Gulf of Mexico deepwater discovery
  by: OilOnline
  Wednesday, November 05, 2003

Newfield Exploration Co. announced its first deepwater discovery at its Rigel prospect, located at Mississippi Canyon Block 296 in the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery is located in about 5,200' of water. The Mississippi Canyon 296 #1 well was drilled to a total depth of about 16,200' and encountered 140' of gross gas pay in the main Rob E objective. Additional pay was found in a shallow objective that may allow for a future recompletion. The well has been temporarily abandoned for future use as a subsea completion. Information obtained from the drilling of the well is being evaluated to determine final net pay counts, reserve estimates and development scenarios.

The Rigel development is operated by Dominion Exploration & Production Inc. Newfield owns a 25% working interest in the project.