NOBLE AFFILIATES <NBL> FINDS NATURAL GAS
Noble Affiliates Inc said it
found natural gas on Ship Shoal 80, located about 10 miles
offshore Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.
    The discovery well, Samedan Oil Corp's OCS-G 5537 Well
Number One, was drilled in 25 feet of water to a total depth of
7,500 feet and found 38 feet of net gas pay in a 48-foot gross
sand interval, the company said.
    The well tested gas at a rate of 6.2 mln cubic feet a day
through a 26/64-inch choke with 1,548 pounds flowing tubing
pressure. Gas sales should begin in the first quarter of 1988,
it said.
    Samedan, a Noble unit, is operator and owns a 60 pct
working interest in the well. Other owners are a New England
Electric System <NES> unit, with a 25 pct stake, and
Southwestern Energy Production Co, with 15 pct.
 Reuter
