LONDON, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Oil major Royal Dutch Shell said it found a gas field under a layer of salt in deepwater off the coast of Gabon, in a discovery which could helpconfirm explorer hopes that parts of west Africa's geology aresimilar to Brazil's.
Shell, which is partnered with China's CNOOC inthe area, said on Wednesday that the frontier exploration well,Leopard-1, had found around 200 metres of net gas pay in apre-salt reservoir.
Some geologists think offshore west Africa may containdeepwater reserves beneath a layer of salt on the ocean bedcomparable to enormous finds made off the coast of Brazil, whichhave transformed that country's natural resource profile.
Shell, which has 75 percent of the licence, said it wouldnow carry out further tests to try to establish how much gas isin the field.
"Shell has been exploring in Gabon for over 50 years. Thislatest deep water discovery is a testament to the innovation ofour explorers in pursuing new plays," said Shell's upstreaminternational director Andy Brown in a statement.
Gabon already produces hydrocarbons but last year launched amajor deepwater licensing round, which it hopes will double itsoutput to 500,000 barrels per day.
(Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Paul Sandle)