Shell-operated Vito’s appraisal well in the deep water Gulf of Mexico has encountered more than 600 net feet of high-quality oil pay in thick subsalt Miocene sands. This sidetrack appraisal well, which is located in Mississippi Canyon block 940, is more than one mile from the 2009 Vito discovery well. The Vito appraisal well was drilled to a total depth of approximately 32,000ft in approximately 4050ft of water. Another sidetrack appraisal well is planned for 2010 to further delineate the discovery. Shell Offshore Inc. (operator) holds a 55% working interest in the discovery, Anadarko Petroleum Corp. holds 20%, and Statoil the remaining 25%.