OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Devon Energy
Corporation (NYSE: DVN) today announced the successful completion of an
extended production test on the Jack #2 well on Walker Ridge block 758 in
the Gulf of Mexico. Although complete details of this deepwater lower
Tertiary well test remain confidential, the results fully met Devon's
expectations.
The Jack test was designed to evaluate only a portion of the total pay
interval. The well sustained flow rates of more than 6,000 barrels of oil
per day. The tested interval was approximately 40 percent of the total net
pay measured in the Jack #2 well. Devon and its co-owners plan to drill an
additional appraisal well in 2007.
"The results of the Jack test are very encouraging. They further
support our positive view of the lower Tertiary trend and demonstrate the
growth potential of our high-impact exploration strategy on long-term
production, reserves and value," said Stephen J. Hadden, senior vice
president, exploration and production. "With 273 blocks under lease and 19
exploratory prospects already identified, Devon's lower Tertiary position
could more than double our current reserve base of about two billion
equivalent barrels in the coming years."
The Jack discovery on Walker Ridge block 759 was drilled in 2004. The
discovery well encountered more than 350 net feet of pay. The Jack #2 well
was drilled to delineate the discovery. Devon has a 25 percent working
interest in Jack. Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is the operator with a 50
percent working interest and Statoil (OSE: STL) has the remaining 25
percent working interest.
Four Lower Tertiary Discoveries
Jack is one of four discoveries by Devon in the lower Tertiary trend of
the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The others are St. Malo drilled in 2003,
Cascade drilled in 2002 and the 2006 Kaskida discovery.
On August 15, 2006, Devon announced that it had doubled its working
interest in Cascade to 50 percent. Devon also announced plans for first
production from Cascade in late 2009.
Kaskida, which was announced as a discovery on August 31, 2006,
encountered approximately 800 net feet of hydrocarbon-bearing sands. Devon
believes Kaskida is its largest lower Tertiary discovery to date. Kaskida,
about 80 miles northwest of Jack, is the company's first discovery in the
Keathley Canyon lease area where Devon has identified 12 additional
exploratory prospects.
Federal Lease Sale Increases Lower Tertiary Inventory
Devon added to its inventory of deepwater lease blocks in the August
16, 2006, federal lease sale. The company was the apparent high bidder on
nine deepwater blocks, including five blocks in Keathley Canyon. The bids
are subject to approval by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals
Management Service.
In addition to its four discoveries in the lower Tertiary, Devon
currently has an inventory of 19 exploratory prospects in the trend. The
company expects to drill one to three exploratory wells from this inventory
in each of the next several years. Based on its experience to date, Devon
estimates that the combined unrisked resource potential of its lower
Tertiary discoveries and prospects could approach six billion barrels of
oil equivalent.
Deepwater Rig Committed for Four Years
Devon has a four-year contract on Diamond Offshore's Ocean Endeavor
deepwater drilling rig. The rig is being refurbished in Singapore and is
scheduled to arrive in the Gulf of Mexico in the second quarter of 2007.
Long-term availability of the Ocean Endeavor will allow Devon to more
aggressively pursue its high-impact deepwater strategy.
"We believe that our results to date confirm the viability of the
Gulf's lower Tertiary trend," said J. Larry Nichols, chairman and chief
executive officer. "Our demonstrated track record and multi-year prospect
inventory position Devon to be one of the most significant beneficiaries of
this important emerging oil resource."
Conference Call Webcast Scheduled for Today
Devon will host a conference call webcast at 9 a.m. Central Time (10
a.m. Eastern Time) today to discuss the Jack test and other aspects of its
lower Tertiary achievements. The webcast may be accessed from Devon's
internet home page at http://www.devonenergy.com .
Devon Energy Corporation is an Oklahoma City-based independent energy
company engaged in oil and gas exploration, production and property
acquisitions. Devon is one of the world's larger independent oil and gas
producers and is included in the S&P 500 Index. For additional information,
visit http://www.devonenergy.com .
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" as defined by
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements are those
concerning strategic plans, expectations and objectives for future
operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts,
included in this press release that address activities, events or
developments that the company expects, believes or anticipates will or may
occur in the future are forward- looking statements. Such statements are
subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which
are beyond the control of the company. Statements regarding future
production and resource potential are subject to all of the risks and
uncertainties normally incident to the exploration for and development and
production of oil and gas. These risks include, but are not limited to,
inflation or lack of availability of goods and services, environmental
risks, drilling risks and regulatory changes. Investors are cautioned that
any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that
actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected
in the forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Devon Energy Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.devonenergy.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/118040.html /
CONTACT:
investors, Zack Hager, +1-405-552-4526, or
media, Brian Engel, +1-405-228-7750, both of Devon Energy
Corporation
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