Spirit Energy 76 Discovers New Gas Field

Unocal Corporation's Spirit Energy 76 unit said a wildcat exploration well in 240 ft. of water on its 100-percent owned Ship Shoal block 295 offshore Louisiana has discovered a significant new natural gas field with an ultimate discovery volume of as much as 130 billion cubic feet (bcf). Spirit Energy also said its net production reached 175,000 boepd at the end of 1999. The company expects continued production strength into 2000 due to increased development activities and exploration success resulting from higher capital spending in the last six months of 1999. "A discovery of this size in shallow water that can be brought on production quickly at high rates has extremely attractive economics," said Timothy H. Ling, Unocal CFO and executive vice-president, North American Energy Operations. "Successes like the Muni well are critical to helping Unocal meet its return on capital goals for the company's mature areas."