Cobalt International Energy opted to plug and abandon its North Platte No. 2 appraisal well at Garden Banks Block 959 in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico due to a seal failure in the riser connection system, the company announced on 9 April.
The well, drilled by the Rowan Reliance drillship, was at a depth of 20,701ft when the problem with the riser was detected. The well was permanently abandoned prior to reaching any geological targets.
Cobalt is currently permitting the North Platte No. 3 well approximately 200ft from the surface location of the North Platte No. 2 well. Assuming timely receipt of permit approval, Cobalt anticipates spudding the North Platte No. 3 well within two weeks and continues to expect well results in 2H 2015.
Drilled in 2012, the North Platte No. 1 discovery well encountered over 550ft net of oil pay in multiple high-quality inboard Lower Tertiary reservoirs. Cobalt, as operator, holds a 60% working interest in North Platte. Total holds the remaining interest.