The West Tonga prospect is located in Green Canyon block 726, close to the Tonga discovery where StatoilHydro also has a working interest. The discovery well, located in 1,400 metres of water, encountered over 100 metres of net oil pay in three high-quality subsalt Miocene sands. StatoilHydro has a 25% working interest in the discovery.
“We're very encouraged by this discovery,” says Helen Butcher, StatoilHydro’s exploration manager for deepwater US Gulf of Mexico.
“This prospect is located in the proximity of the Tahiti, Caesar and Tonga discoveries where we have significant working interests. The find supports the continuing importance of the exciting Miocene play in this area,” she adds.
The West Tonga prospect was acquired by StatoilHydro as a part of EnCana 's deepwater portfolio in 2005.