Mexican state-owned oil company Pemex has made several new oil discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico that could add up to 22,000 barrels per day to the company’s output.

Quoting a spokesperson for the company, Reuters reported that the discoveries were made a couple of months ago but were not announced immediately to allow the company to confirm their commercial viability.

According to Pemex’s statement on Tuesday, the company discovered two super light crude deposits in the deepwater and four light oil deposits in shallow waters.

Two deepwater discoveries were made in the Plegado Perdido Belt located 220 kilometers off the coast of Tamaulipas at a water depth of 3,000 meters.

Pemex estimates that these two deposits contain total reserves between 140 and 160 million barrels of oil equivalent, which could eventually produce 15,000 barrels per day.

Furthermore, 30 kilometers off the coast between the states Veracruz and Tabasco in a water depth of 44 meters, the company drilled the Teca-1 well. The well discovered light crude and gas condensate with the estimated reserves between 50 and 60 million barrels of oil equivalent which could produce about 7,000 barrels per day.

Pemex also said it plans to drill a total of thirty exploration wells in 2017, with twelve wells in the shallow water and four new ones in the deep waters of Perdido Fold Belt.

Considering the prolonged lower oil price environment, the company noted its investment will focus on the higher return areas.

Source: www.offshoreenergytoday.com