Oil giant BP has made its first significant oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico since 2009, in the Gila deepwater prospect 300 miles off New Orleans. The prospect is majority owned by BP, with ConocoPhillips a minority partner, but the companies' drilling in the region has been set back since the massive blowout at BP's Macondo prospect in 2010.BP's Regional President of its Gulf of Mexico business, Richard Morrison, said: "The Gila discovery is a further sign that momentum is returning to BP's drilling operations and well execution in the Gulf of Mexico."The Gila discovery was made by an exploration well on Keathley Canyon Block 93, about 300 miles southwest of New Orleans, in approximately 4,900 feet of water, in the same Paleogene trend in the basin as the nearby "giant" Tiber prospect discovered in 2009 and Kaskida in 2006. The well was drilled to a total depth of 29,221 feet but will require appraisal drilling to determine its size and potential commerciality.Mike Daly, BP's Global Head of Exploration, said: "Gila continues our successful drill out of the prolific Paleogene play system in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. "Subject to successful appraisal, Gila, Tiber and Kaskida together offer the potential for significant future oil developments in the Keathley Canyon area."OH