Royal Dutch Shell plc announced today it has agreed to sell its 50% working interest in the Holstein Field, comprised of Green Canyon Blocks 644, 645 and 688 in the Gulf of Mexico, to Plains Exploration & Production (PXP) for approximately $560 million, subject to closing.
Shell received an unsolicited offer from PXP for Shell’s working interest. The transaction is effective October 1, 2012 and is expected to close by year-end 2012.
Holstein is a mature deepwater asset and the sale is consistent with Shell’s continuing practice of reviewing our existing portfolio and evaluating new opportunities.
The Holstein Unit is centered on a spar platform anchored in 1350 meters (4400 feet) water depth and first produced in December 2004. Shell’s 50% interest represents about two percent of the company’s overall Gulf of Mexico net production and had a 30-day net average production of 7.4 kboe/d prior to Hurricane Isaac.
Shell retains a major Gulf of Mexico presence and is a leading deepwater producer. The company recently noted three successful appraisal wells at the Appomattox and Vito fields, which are expected to begin producing in the second half of the decade.
