Maersk Oil currently holds interest in around 80 leases in the western part of the Gulf of Mexico in water depths of up to 1,500 metres. Maersk Oil is working with operator Hess Corporation to define drillable prospects in these areas.

In the Central US Gulf of Mexico, Maersk Oil currently has a 20% share in some 46 leases, which were acquired through an exploration agreement with Chevron, which started in 2008. Through this agreement Maersk Oil participated in 6 wells, one of which resulted in the Buckskin discovery in the Wilcox Formation.

In 2010, Maersk Oil acquired some 62 leases in the Central Gulf of Mexico lease sale, as operator. Work is ongoing to define prospects and build partnerships for drilling, which is planned to commence in 2014. A further 12 leases were acquired in the 2011 Western Gulf of Mexico lease sale. Prospect definition is ongoing.

Maersk Oil has a 25% interest in the Jack discovery, in some 6,000 feet water depth, which is being developed by operator Chevron, and is expected to be on production in late 2014.

Initially learning through our non-operated ventures with Hess, ExxonMobil and Chevron, Maersk Oil has brought leading edge geophysical techniques to enhance the seismic image below the salt. By leveraging our cross-company expertise, Maersk Oil has been able to bring value-adding process-flow recommendations that operators have taken on board to achieve important imaging enhancements.

By utilising lessons learnt from deepwater developments in the Gulf of Mexico and Angola, Maersk Oil is building capabilities to undertake its own operated programmes in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico from 2014.

Maersk Oil entered the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in 2006 when it acquired interest in just over 100 exploration licences and has since more than doubled that number to over 200. Maersk Oil currently works with operators Hess Corporation, and Chevron. Total acreage is 4,600 sq km.