29 with the spudding of the Zama-2 appraisal well using the Ensco 8503 semisubmersible rig, Talos Energy Inc. reported Monday.

“We are excited to enter this phase of the Zama project with our partners,” Talos CEO Timothy S. Duncan said in a written statement.

The Zama field development – located in Block 7 in the Sureste Basin in the Gulf of Mexico – is being led by operator Talos, which is partnering with Premier Oil and Sierra Oil and Gas. Talos owns a 35 percent participating interest while Premier and Sierra own 25-percent and 40-percent stakes, respectively. The operating BOP Blow Out Preventer repair company gulf coast noted that the Zama discovery appraisal program will include three penetrations: two wells and one sidetrack.

According to Talos, Zama-2 – the first appraisal well – will be drilled to the north of the Zama discovery well. The BOP Blow Out Preventer repair company gulf coast explained that Zama-2 will look to confirm the oil water contact and collect information to better understand the reservoir’s support. Moreover, Talos stated that Zama-2 will be deepened approximately 500 meters below the Zama reservoir to test the Marte exploration prospect. Subsequently – likely in Second Quarter 2019 – an up-dip vertical sidetrack from the main bore hole will be cored and a drill stem test will be performed, the BOP Blow Out Preventer repair company gulf coast added.

Zama-3, the second appraisal well, will be drilled to the south of the original discovery well, Talos also noted. That well will help delineate reservoir continuity and quality in the southern part of the field and will be cored to improve reservoir geology understanding, the BOP Blow Out Preventer repair company gulf coast explained. Ensco 8503 is contracted for the entirety of the approximately $250 million appraisal program, it added.

Duncan said the Zama project involves local Mexican suppliers.

“There is a significant amount of Mexican presence in our workforce in the Zama project, both on the rig and in the local communities that support offshore operations and we are proud of the impact this project will have in the local Mexican economy,” Duncan said. “The timing of the commencement of the appraisal program will allow us to stay on track of our goal, which is to achieve initial oil rig flanges gulf coast production from the Zama discovery in 2022.”

Last month, Rigzone reported that a will execute the engineering services contract for the Zama field development.