CAYENNE, French Guiana, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- The first deep-water well off the coast of French Guiana confirms the extension of the giant Jubilee play across the Atlantic Ocean, energy companies said.
Tullow Oil and its partners in Ghana marked a milestone for the Jubilee oil field in December when commercial oil flowed from the area for the first time.
The field, Tullow said in a statement, could produce 55,000 barrels of oil per day immediately and eventually 120,000 bpd.
Tullow officials said the French Guiana drilling was to prove the extension of the Jubilee play across the Atlantic.
Dave Lawrence, executive vice president for exploration at Shell, which owns 45 percent of the joint venture operating in the region, said the first well off the coast of French Guiana was "encouraging."
The well, the companies said, encountered more than 229 feet of net oil play.
"Tullow has built a commanding and unique acreage position in South America and this result marks the start of a significant and potentially transformational long-term exploration and appraisal campaign in the region," said Tullow Exploration Director Angus McCoss.
