Noble Affiliates Inc said itfound natural gas on Ship Shoal 80, located about 10 miles
offshore Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.
    The discovery well, Samedan Oil Corp's OCS-G 5537 Well
Number One, was drilled in 25 feet of water to a total depth of
7,500 feet and found 38 feet of net gas pay in a 48-foot gross
sand interval, the company said.
    The well tested gas at a rate of 6.2 mln cubic feet a day
through a 26/64-inch choke with 1,548 pounds flowing tubing
pressure. Gas sales should begin in the first quarter of 1988,
it said.
    Samedan, a Noble unit, is operator and owns a 60 pct
working interest in the well. Other owners are a New England
Electric System &lt;NES> unit, with a 25 pct stake, and
Southwestern Energy Production Co, with 15 pct.
 Reuter
