New oil field deep in the Gulf a potential giant

If projections hold up, it could yield 11% of U.S. output in 2012-14

By BILL HENSEL JR.
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Located 270 miles southwest of New Orleans and more than 5 miles below the water's surface, the potential of the Jack field was known about for years.

But three energy companies have now proved that what could be the most significant oil find since Alaska's Prudhoe Bay is both economically and technologically feasible.