Chevron says Anchor discovery in Gulf of Mexico shows promise

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Transocean's Deepwater Asgard arrived in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2015 to work under a two-year contract with Chevron. (Chevron)
Transocean's Deepwater Asgard arrived in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2015 to work under a two-year contract with Chevron. (Chevron)
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The Transocean-owned Discoverer India (Chevron)
The Transocean-owned Discoverer India (Chevron)
Photo: Daniel.Faulkner
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The Pacific Sharav (Chevron)
The Pacific Sharav (Chevron)
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The Discoverer Deep Seas drillship sits stationary as Chevron drills for oil off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
The Discoverer Deep Seas drillship sits stationary as Chevron drills for oil off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Photo: ALEX BRANDON / AP
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Pacific Drilling's Santa Ana drillship, shown in an undated photo, bored a well 31,866 below sea level and in 6,000 feet of water, striking oil at Chevron's Coronado prospect in the Gulf of Mexico.
Pacific Drilling's Santa Ana drillship, shown in an undated photo, bored a well 31,866 below sea level and in 6,000 feet of water, striking oil at Chevron's Coronado prospect in the Gulf of Mexico.
Photo: Pacific Drilling / Pacific Drilling
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Discoverer Deep Seas ChevronTexaco Corp., the second-largest U.S. oil company, and offshore drilling contractor Transocean Inc. have started a well in the Gulf of Mexico in more than 10,000 feet of water, the deepest ever. ChevronTexaco's Toledo well in Alaminos Canyon block 951 is being drilled from a drillship floating in 10,011 feet of water, eclipsing the previous world record of 9,727 feet. HOUCHRON CAPTION (11/18/2003): DISCOVERER DEEP SEAS - A water depth record of 10,011 feet is as tall as 13 Chevron Texaco Heritage Plaza buildings stacked on top of one another. less
Discoverer Deep Seas ChevronTexaco Corp., the second-largest U.S. oil company, and offshore drilling contractor Transocean Inc. have started a well in the Gulf of Mexico in more than 10,000 feet of water, the ... more
Photo: Transocean
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Chevron helicopter pilot Dave Thompson (cq) zeros in as he pilots the copter towards Discoverer Deep Seas. (seen just under his right ear) The Deep Seas is a deepwater drill ship currently drilling at the Bob North prospect about 100 miles off the coast of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007. Transocean owns the ship, and was leasing it to Chevron when the photos were taken. ( Karen Warren / Chronicle ) less
Chevron helicopter pilot Dave Thompson (cq) zeros in as he pilots the copter towards Discoverer Deep Seas. (seen just under his right ear) The Deep Seas is a deepwater drill ship currently drilling at the ... more
Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle
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One of the firemen on board Discoverer Deep Seas, watches as a helicopter makes a safe landing on the helipad. The Deep Seas is a deepwater drill ship currently drilling at the Bob North prospect about 100 miles off the coast of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007. Transocean owns the ship, and was leasing it to Chevron when the photos were taken. ( Karen Warren / Chronicle ) less
One of the firemen on board Discoverer Deep Seas, watches as a helicopter makes a safe landing on the helipad. The Deep Seas is a deepwater drill ship currently drilling at the Bob North prospect about 100 ... more
Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle
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A supply vessel is shown next to the Discoverer Inspiration on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
A supply vessel is shown next to the Discoverer Inspiration on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Ray Pittman, Chevron forward driller, controls all the main drilling functions from a cyber chair on Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shown Monday, March 29, 2010. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Ray Pittman, Chevron forward driller, controls all the main drilling functions from a cyber chair on Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Chevron workers on the drill pipe deck of the Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Chevron workers on the drill pipe deck of the Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Allen Smith , Transocean captain of the drillship Discoverer Inspiration shown Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Allen Smith , Transocean captain of the drillship Discoverer Inspiration shown Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Keith Miller, Transocean rig manager, on the Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shown Monday, March 29, 2010. The derrick is 226 feet high. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Keith Miller, Transocean rig manager, on the Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Chevron drilling superintendent Tom Jones on drillship Discoverer Inspiration Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The derrick is 226 feet high. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Chevron drilling superintendent Tom Jones on drillship Discoverer Inspiration Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The derrick is 226 feet high. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Dusk aboard Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shown Monday, March 29, 2010. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Dusk aboard Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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A stand of drilling pipe is added to the drill string on the Discoverer Inspiration Making connection on the Discoverer Inspiration Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
A stand of drilling pipe is added to the drill string on the Discoverer Inspiration Making connection on the Discoverer Inspiration Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Samples of salt taken from the drill cuttings at the depths of 9,250 and 9,270 feet on the Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Samples of salt taken from the drill cuttings at the depths of 9,250 and 9,270 feet on the Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Samples of salt taken from the drill cuttings taken at the depths of over 9,000 feet on the Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. Each of the samples is labeled with the depth. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Samples of salt taken from the drill cuttings taken at the depths of over 9,000 feet on the Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. Each of the samples is labeled with the depth. Chevron is drilling ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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A crane moves a section of drill pipe on the drill pipe deck of the Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. Three sections of pipe are connected to make a stand which is then connect to the frill string. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
A crane moves a section of drill pipe on the drill pipe deck of the Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. Three sections of pipe are connected to make a stand which is then connect to the frill ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Drill floor on Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shown Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Drill floor on Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Stands of drill pipe on the drill floor on Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shown Monday, March 29, 2010. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Stands of drill pipe on the drill floor on Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Worker is dwarfed among the 226 foot derrick on the Discoverer Inspiration Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Worker is dwarfed among the 226 foot derrick on the Discoverer Inspiration Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shown Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shown Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Chevron drilling superintendent Tom Jones on drillship Discoverer Inspiration Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Chevron drilling superintendent Tom Jones on drillship Discoverer Inspiration Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Chevron drilling superintendent Tom Jones on drillship Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. The derrick is 226 feet high. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Chevron drilling superintendent Tom Jones on drillship Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. The derrick is 226 feet high. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Bob Davis, Chevron well site geologist, on the Discoverer Inspiration on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Bob Davis, Chevron well site geologist, on the Discoverer Inspiration on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Safety lockout and tagout center which is used to disable equipment prior to maintence, cleaning or inspection on the Discoverer Inspiration on Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Safety lockout and tagout center which is used to disable equipment prior to maintence, cleaning or inspection on the Discoverer Inspiration on Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Allen Smith , Transocean captain of the drillship Discoverer Inspiration shown Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Allen Smith , Transocean captain of the drillship Discoverer Inspiration shown Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Drill pipe extends through the moon pool at the center of the Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shown Monday, March 29, 2010. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Drill pipe extends through the moon pool at the center of the Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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View looking down from the derrick to the drill floor on Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shown Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
View looking down from the derrick to the drill floor on Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Aft deck on the Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shown Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
Aft deck on the Discoverer Inspiration where Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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A drill bit is stored on the Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, located about 240 nautical miles from Leesville, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The vessel has the capability to drill wells in 12,000 feet of water to a total depth of 40,000 feet. ( Melissa Phillip / Chronicle ) less
A drill bit is stored on the Discoverer Inspiration Monday, March 29, 2010. Chevron is drilling an exploration well into Moccasin Prospect on Transocean's Discoverer Inspiration, an ultra-deepwater drillship, ... more
Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
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Cajun Express, a Transocean semisubmersible deepwater drilling oil rig, is seen from the air, Monday, December 12, 2006, at Chevron Corp.'s Tahiti field at Green Canyon Block 640, in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 190 miles south of New Orleans. Canjun Express is working on six wells at the north end of the Tahiti field, which are expected to being pumping oil in 2008, six years after their discovery. Discoverer Deep Seas, a Transocean deepwater drillship, currently undergoing completion work in anticipation of oil production for Chevron, is seen in the distance. Photographer: Stephen Hilger/Bloomberg News. less
Cajun Express, a Transocean semisubmersible deepwater drilling oil rig, is seen from the air, Monday, December 12, 2006, at Chevron Corp.'s Tahiti field at Green Canyon Block 640, in the Gulf of Mexico, ... more
Photo: STEPHEN HILGER / BLOOMBERG NEWS
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Chevron's Tahiti platform produces oil from reservoir 28,000 feet below -- nearly as deep as Mount Everest is tall. Transocean's Discoverer Deep Seas drillship is drilling another production well to tap the Tahiti reservoir. Credit: Simone Sebastian less
Chevron's Tahiti platform produces oil from reservoir 28,000 feet below -- nearly as deep as Mount Everest is tall. Transocean's Discoverer Deep Seas drillship is drilling another production well to tap the ... more
Photo: Simone Sebastian / Simone Sebastian
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Chevron employees and a reporter tour the Tahiti production platform on Oct. 4, 2012. Transocean's Discoverer Deep Seas drillship, in the distance, also is working on the Tahiti field. Credit: Simone Sebastian less
Chevron employees and a reporter tour the Tahiti production platform on Oct. 4, 2012. Transocean's Discoverer Deep Seas drillship, in the distance, also is working on the Tahiti field. Credit: Simone ... more
Photo: Simone Sebastian / Simone Sebastian
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by email The Pacific Santa Ana sails off the coast of Singapore in February. The drillship now is in the Gulf of Mexico for a Chevron Corp. project. Photo: Rolf Estensen/Courtesy Pacific Drilling.
by email The Pacific Santa Ana sails off the coast of Singapore in February. The drillship now is in the Gulf of Mexico for a Chevron Corp. project. Photo: Rolf Estensen/Courtesy Pacific Drilling.
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Rendering of the Transocean's Discoverer Clear Leader, a dynamically positioned, double-hull drillship to be built at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. yard in Okpo, South Korea. Estimated total capital expenditure is $650 million. Chevron has signed a five-year drilling contract with Transocean for the Discoverer Clear Leader. Source: Transocean emailed photo less
Rendering of the Transocean's Discoverer Clear Leader, a dynamically positioned, double-hull drillship to be built at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. yard in Okpo, South Korea. ... more
Photo: Transocean

Chevron says its Anchor discovery deep in the Gulf of Mexico could hold large stores of oil, but more testing needs to be done, Chevron and its partners announced Thursday.

Jay Johnson, Chevron’s executive vice president of upstream, said in a statement early results show the Anchor prospect may be a big enough discovery that it could be classified as a hub. Chevron has developed hubs at other massive projects in the Gulf of Mexico, including the Jack/St. Malo fields, which have a large centralized processing facility to handle oil and gas extracted from each.

Related: Investigation ongoing into failure at Chevron’s Big Foot project

But before Chevron moves forward with developing the Anchor project, additional tests need to be completed to fully assess the size of the discovery. The company did not say when it planned to drill more exploratory wells.

The Anchor discovery is located about 140 miles off the coast of Louisiana in 5,180 feet of water, in an area known as the Lower Tertiary Wilcox. After a well drilled last year struck 690 feet of net oil pay, the multinational oil corporation and its partners conducted appraisal drilling in June. That well found 694 feet of net oil pay.

In all, Chevron said it has confirmed a hydrocarbon column of at least 1,800 feet in the reservoirs at Anchor.

“The appraisal results to date suggest that Anchor could be one of the largest oil accumulations in the Lower Tertiary Wilcox trend,” Brian Reinsborough, CEO of Venari Resources, said in a statement. The Dallas-based private exploration and production company holds a 12.5 percent stake in the project.

Chevron operates the Anchor prospect and holds a 55 percent working interest. The remaining stake is split between Cobalt International Energy, which holds a 20 percent stake and Samson Offshore Anchor, which has a 12.5 percent interest.

Appraisals of the Chevron's Anchor discovery deep in the Gulf of Mexico indicate the prospect could hold large stores of oil, but more testing needs to be done, Chevron and its partners announced Thursday. (Chevron)
Appraisals of the Chevron’s Anchor discovery deep in the Gulf of Mexico indicate the prospect could hold large stores of oil, but more testing needs to be done, Chevron and its partners announced Thursday. (Chevron)
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