BP confirmed that an appraisal well to test a western extension of the Kaskida field has confirmed oil in Lower Tertiary reservoirs five miles to the west of the Kaskida discovery well.

The well, drilled to a total depth of 32,500 feet by the West Sirius semisub, is located in Keathley Canyon block 291 in 5,675 feet of water and 250 miles southwest of New Orleans.

Appraisal activities will continue with a WATS (wide azimuth towed streamer) seismic acquisition survey in early 2010 and a well test in 2011.

"This well builds on the success of our recent Tiber discovery to further strengthen BP's leading position in the emerging Lower Tertiary play in the US Gulf of Mexico," said Andy Inglis, chief executive, Exploration and Production, "and supports the continuing growth of our deepwater Gulf of Mexico business into the second half of the next decade."

Kaskida is operated by BP, with a 70 percent working interest, with co-owner Devon (30 percent).

Tags: BP PLC