US independent Noble Energy has logged more than 140 feet of gas condensate and 110 feet of oil pay at the the Santa Cruz prospect in Mississippi Canyon blocks 519/563, in the US Gulf of Mexico.

The well, which lies in 6515 feet of water, was drilled to a total depth of about 18,900 feet.

Open-hole logging indicated more 140 feet of net gas condensate pay and more than 110 feet of net oil pay in multiple high-quality reservoirs.

The overall thickness of the reservoirs was greater than originally expected, Noble said in a statement.

Noble's chief operating officer David Stover said: "Our discoveries at Santa Cruz and Isabela will be an important development program for our company. Current plans consist of subsea tiebacks to nearby infrastructure, and we anticipate first production from this area in 2011."

Noble operates the Santa Cruz discovery with a 23.25% stake.

Its partners are Houston Energy (10%), Red Willow Offshore (20.25%) and BP (46.5%).