A Tale of Two Companies

Finding Their Niche In Gulf Waters

Stories by KATHY SHIRLEY
EXPLORER Correspondent

Nexen Petroleum USA
New Turn Takes
Company to Gulf

Spinnaker Exploration
Unique Deal Grows Company

"Find your niche."

That's the mantra du jour for the Gulf of Mexico, where a long and growing list of independents see dollar signs in the prolific region -- and those firms are staking their company's future on plays with the potential for huge returns.

The Gulf has been prolific for a long time -- some may even use the word "mature" when referring to its status -- but that hasn't stopped firms from developing their own unique, focused strategy.

Some companies are focusing on the deep water, some on deeper gas prospects, some on exploiting older fields and some on a mix of all those elements.

The only real common thread in all the firms' operations is that the Gulf will continue to be an integral part of their business.

Reported here are two examples of independents finding their niche in the Gulf of Mexico.