Mexico’s energy regulator CNH has approved an amended plan submitted by China Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) for exploratory wells, which could see the company move toward production from deep offshore waters by 2021. 

Part of the assignment CNH-R01-L04-A1.CPP/2016, the CNOOC field is a 1,678m2 area that lies in waters between 1,000-3,000m deep (noted in red below). Beyond meeting its obligatory work commitments at the assignment, CNOOC aims to move more quickly toward production. 

“The objective of the modification is to evaluate the oil potential, in particular of the Wilcox Formation, which is the most promising reserve in this part of the Perdido Fold Belt, and the drilling of at least two wells,” said CNH technical supervisor Rodrigo Hernández Ordoñez. 

Though Mexico currently has no operating wells in its deep offshore waters, Shell is set to drill two exploratory wells in its deepwater assignment in 1H2020. 

CNOOC’s assignment has regular activities nearby, including work at an assignment being developed jointly by Pemex and BHP Group, known as the Trion project. 

It lies about 150km off the coast of Tamaulipas state and only 6km from the maritime border with the US. 

So far, 13 seismic 3D studies, both geological and integrated, have been conducted across the region, and another eight are currently being carried out.