StatoilHydro has together with operator Anadarko and partners made a discovery in the Vito prospect in deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

The Vito well is located in Mississippi Canyon block 984, about 70 kilometres southwest of the Thunder Hawk field.

The well was drilled to a total depth of 9,757 metres and is believed to have encountered some 80 metres of net pay, although final test results are still pending.

"Vito is our second discovery in the Gulf so far this year. Both Heidelberg and Vito are located in the Miocene play, in areas known for good quality sand development," explains Helen Butcher, head of StatoilHydro's exploration in the Gulf of Mexico.

"We currently have high activity in the Gulf, with Tahiti and Thunder Hawk coming on stream this year doubling our production in the area, as well as our operated drilling activities starting up this fall. The Vito discovery will be a good addition to our deepwater GoM portfolio," she adds.

StatoilHydro has a 25% working interest in Vito. The other partners are Shell (55%) and Anadarko (20%).