Unocal scores on Harvest Deep appraisal well in GOM

The Harvest 2 appraisal well, drilled more than one-half mile from the Gulf of Mexico’s Harvest 1 discovery well, likely will produce a higher rate than Harvest 1’s current 35 to 40 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, operator Unocal said Oct. 28.

Located on West Cameron Block 44, the Harvest 2 well was drilled to a total depth of 14,322 feet and encountered more than 140 feet of net natural gas pay, including 110 continuous feet of pay in one high-quality interval, Unocal said. Harvest 1 had encountered 70 feet of net gas pay.

The Harvest 2 well is expected to begin production in mid-December, Unocal said, adding that the company is formulating a plan for a second appraisal well on West Cameron Block 44 and evaluating follow-up drilling opportunities on nearby West Cameron blocks 22 and 57.

Unocal holds a 41 percent working interest in West Cameron Block 44. Marlin Energy Offshore holds a 37 percent interest, followed by the William G. Helis Co. with a 20 percent interest and Houston Energy with a 2 percent interest.

Unocal said it also made a discovery at its deep shelf exploration well on the Red Pepper prospect at High Island Block 37. The well found 55 feet of net natural gas pay and is currently flowing at a rate of 25 million cubic feet per day. Unocal has a 36 percent interest in Red Pepper, followed by Seneca Resources with a 25 percent interest, Fidelity Exploration & Production with a 25 percent interest, and the William G. Helis Co. with a 14 percent stake.

Unocal said an exploratory well on the Comanchero prospect on Eugene Island 37 was a dry hole and that the company would take a pre-tax $2.4 million charge against 2003 third-quarter earnings.