Royal Dutch Shell and Canadian oil explorer Nexen Inc has recently announced that they had made an important discovery in the Gulf of Mexico, the latest in a string of big finds in the Gulf in 2009.

According to the joint statement released by the companies, they had made the discovery at the Appomattox prospect in Mississippi Canyon blocks 391 and 392.

Further, it said that the discovery has increased the confidence level in other unexplored sites in the area.

While talking to media, CEO of Nexen, Marvin Romanow said, “The Appomattox discovery confirms our confidence in the play and provides a strong basis to evaluate the remainder of our significant acreage position in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico.”

Meanwhile, Shell owns an 80% stake in Appomattox and Nexen owns 20%.

The Gulf of Mexico, one of the world's most mature oil provinces, continues to be key to Western oil companies's portfolios as new technology has opened ever deeper water to exploration.