Houston-based Spinnaker Exploration Co. said it had a significant discovery of natural gas and condensate at its Stirrup Prospect, located on Mustang Island Block 861 off the Texas Gulf Coast. The Mustang Island 861 #1 was drilled to a depth of 17,123 feet, tested middle Frio sands and established the geologically oldest production on the shelf of the Gulf and west of the Mississippi River, Spinnaker said. The discovery is 25 miles south of Corpus Christi, TX in about 54 feet of water. The #1 found gas-bearing sands in four major sequences. Three of the sequences have tested gas and the fourth was not tested. The S-3 sand has tested at rates of approximately 21.1 MMcf/d with 130 bbl of condensate at flowing pressures exceeding 11,000 psi. Spinnaker said the gas quality is excellent, and the well has been shut-in pending design and fabrication of a production platform, related facilities and flow line. Spinnaker operates the Stirrup Prospect with a 42% working interest and a 34% net revenue interest. Partners include Dominion Exploration & Production Inc. and Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

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