Gulf of Mexico drilling-
In March, Shell announced that its deepwater Gulf wells, Appomatox prospect, has hit pay. These wells are in 7000-8000 feet water depth (more than the BP well which blew out) and were drilled to a total depth of about 26,000 feet. This adds to the other Shell-Nexen discoveries, Shiloh and Vicksburg, at similar depths.

Gulf offshore oil- U. S. area
1.7 million bbl/day
30% of domestic production.
3500 production platforms, many with multiple wells
35,000 workers engaged in exploration and production.
Most of these wells are in shallower water and were drilled to much less depth.

Gulf oil- Mexican area
Pemex has many wells in their portion of the Gulf. A portion of this production goes to the U. S.

Data from the magazine Offshore and Ny Times article, May 2, 2010, Jad Mouawad