INEOS Energy makes first successful Gulf exploration discovery, confirming high-quality Norphlet oil near Shell-operated Appomattox platform, strengthening US offshore presence.
INEOS Energy has announced a significant new oil discovery in the Norphlet geological formation in the Gulf of America, marking a major milestone in the company’s offshore exploration strategy in the United States. The discovery was made at the Nashville exploration well, which is operated by Shell and represents the first successful exploration well for INEOS Energy in this prolific offshore region. INEOS Energy holds a 21% working interest in the project, while Shell retains the remaining 79% and serves as operator.
The Nashville well was drilled to an impressive depth of more than five miles beneath the seabed, targeting one of the Gulf’s most promising deepwater reservoirs. The well encountered high-quality oil within the Norphlet formation, an area known for its potential to deliver commercially attractive hydrocarbon resources. Early results from drilling operations have confirmed the presence of oil-bearing reservoirs, reinforcing confidence in the geological model and highlighting the prospectivity of this part of the Gulf of America.
One of the key advantages of the Nashville discovery is its proximity to existing infrastructure. The find could potentially be developed through a tie-back to the nearby Appomattox production platform, which is also operated by Shell and jointly owned with INEOS Energy. Leveraging existing facilities could significantly reduce development costs, shorten timelines to first production, and improve the overall economic viability of the project, while also minimizing environmental impact compared with standalone developments.
David Bucknall, Chief Executive Officer of INEOS Energy, described the discovery as a strong outcome for the company and a vital step in expanding its footprint in the US Gulf. He emphasized that the region offers world-class resources that can be responsibly developed to support long-term energy needs. According to Bucknall, the Nashville discovery has the potential to contribute meaningfully to energy security by providing reliable oil supplies for many years, while aligning with INEOS Energy’s disciplined and safety-focused approach to offshore operations.
The Nashville well was drilled using the Deepwater Proteus, one of the most technologically advanced offshore drilling rigs currently in operation. The use of this state-of-the-art rig enabled precise drilling in challenging deepwater conditions and played a critical role in successfully reaching the target formation. With drilling now complete, additional technical evaluations and appraisal work are under way to determine the full size and commercial potential of the discovery.
Heather Osecki, Chief Executive Officer of INEOS Energy’s US Gulf business, said the drilling results met expectations and validated the company’s exploration strategy in the region. She noted that the Nashville discovery represents an important first step in expanding INEOS Energy’s existing asset base in the Gulf of America. Osecki also highlighted the company’s intention to continue building scale in the region and to unlock further value by optimizing the utilization of the Appomattox host platform.
Overall, the Norphlet oil discovery at Nashville underscores INEOS Energy’s growing role in the US offshore energy sector. By partnering with an experienced operator and focusing on infrastructure-led development opportunities, the company aims to deliver sustainable value while supporting reliable energy supply from one of the world’s most established deepwater provinces.
