The seismic interpretations indicate that hydrocarbons could be present at any time below the salt.

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Compared with the development of deepwater wells below the salt off Brazil, this timeline is amazingly speedy.

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It has a proposed total depth of 29, 000 feet targeting the Eocene and Paleocene objectives below the salt weld.

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Pursuit of the cupola plays, shallower deposits trapped below the salt weld, was pushed forward in the drilling program.

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Additionally, the Lafitte well has now proceeded below the salt weld.

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Lafitte is now drilling below the salt.

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Below you'll see the white salt flatlands being crisscrossed--if it's a windy day--by landsailers, zipping around on what look like windsurfers on wheels.

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In 2007, the vast new Tupi field in Brazilian coastal waters was discovered in 200 meters of water below a massive layer of salt in hugely inhospitable geological conditions.

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