Houston-based independent Spinnaker Exploration Co. on Wednesday announced four new discoveries of natural gas and oil on the shelf of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) in just one month’s time. Currently, Spinnaker has 12 ongoing rig operations in the GOM, including eight successful wells with its partners in the Front Runner project.

All of the new GOM discoveries have occurred since Spinnaker’s last operational update in late April, with only one shallow dry hole on the shelf, at 6,500 feet. Spinnaker owned a 75% interest in dry well.

The Brazos A-17 No.1, in which Spinnaker holds 100% working interest and is operator, is situated in 130 feet of water, approximately 55 miles southwest of Freeport, TX. The well encountered two productive sands in the Cib Carst section above 8,600 feet. Production casing has been run, and the well is suspended at the mud line. The new field will be serviced by a braced caisson platform and should begin production by November, Spinnaker said.

Two other successful wells, the East Cameron 312 No.1 and No.2, have been drilled from a common surface location and each discovered hydrocarbons in separate structural traps. The wells, in which Spinnaker holds 100% working interest and also operates, are located in 210 feet of water, 115 miles southeast of Cameron, LA. The EC 312 No.1 found natural gas in the Trim A section and was drilled to a total depth of 4,862 feet. The EC 312 No.1 was drilled to a depth of 8,282 feet and found oil and gas in thick Ang B sand.

The 312 No.1 has been cased for production, and the No.2 has been logged and will be cased. The No.2 well will be completed and production tested before the company drills No.3. That well will test a nearby fault block related to the productive section in the EC 312 No.2 well. It is anticipated that a new production platform will be constructed for this development, with first production expected in the fourth quarter of 2003.

Another successful well, the High Island 47 No.1, which Spinnaker holds a 67% interest in and is operator, is situated in 30 feet of water and was drilled to a total depth of 10,595 feet. The well encountered a thick section of productive Marg “A” sand and is currently completing. A second well will be drilled when operations are completed on the first. That well will test a separate fault block that is related to the HI 47 No.1 discovery. First production from the new field is expected by the fourth quarter.

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