Jan. 2012 - McMoRan says exploration results in the Lafitte well have indicated 211 net feet (64 meters) of possible productive sands, including 56 net feet (17 meters) in the Cris-R section of the Lower Miocene and 40 net feet (12 meters) in the Frio section. The well will be drilled below 32,400 feet (9,876 feet) to a proposed total depth of 33,000 feet (1,006 meters) to evaluate Oligocene and potential Eocene objectives. Lafitte is located on Eugene Island Block 223 in 140 feet (43 meters) of water.

Nov. 2011 - The Lafitte ultra-deep prospect has encountered additional hydrocarbons. The well reached a true vertical depth of 29,756 feet (9,070 meters), and the operator logged the well to 29,740 feet (9,065 meters). McMoRan said that the wireline log results have indicated that the well found 56 net feet (17 net meters) of hydrocarbon-bearing sands over a 58-foot (18-meter) gross interval in the Cris-R section of the Lower Miocene with good porosity. A flow test needs to verify the ultimate hydrocarbon flow rates from this zone. The new Cris-R sand interval, combined with the 115 feet (35 meters) of potential net pay previously announced, brings the total possible productive net sands to 171 feet (52 meters) in the Lafitte well. McMoRan plans to file a permit to deepen the Lafitte well to a depth of 32,000 feet (9,754 meters) to evaluate deeper objectives. McMoRan holds a 72 percent working interest in Lafitte. Other working interest owners include Energy XXI (18 percent) and Moncrief Offshore LLC (10 percent).

Jun. 2011 - McMoRan's Lafitte exploratory well is drilling towards a proposed total depth of 29,950 feet (9,129 meters), targeting Miocene objectives below the salt weld. The operator ran a liner below the salt to a depth of 22,982 feet (7,005 meters), and the well is currently drilling at 23,645 feet (7,207 meters). Lafitte is located on Eugene Island Block 223 in 140 feet of water. McMoRan operates the block with a 33.75% interest.

Oct. 2010 - The Rowan EXL 1 jackup is on location at the Lafitte prospect on Eugene Island Block 223. The well is expected to reach a depth of 29,950 feet (9,129 meters) and is targeting the Middle and Deep Miocene objectives below the salt weld.