The Venus B-1 well, located in about 5900 feet of water, was drilled to a total depth of about 18,500ft and had intersected more than 45ft of net hydrocarbon pay.

Anadarko said the Venus find confirmed the existence of an active petroleum system in the Sierra Leone-Liberian Basin.

"Anadarko and our partners are evaluating the initial results of the well and the forward plan for the prospect, and anticipate additional drilling in the area," Anadarko senior vice president worldwide exploration Bob Daniels said.

"We are optimistic that the continued success of our west African Cretaceous program will create substantial value for our stakeholders as well as the people of west Africa through continued investment and increased activity.

"Anadarko plans to drill two to five wells in the trend next year."

Venus, the first deepwater probe in the basin, is one of more than 30 identified prospects and leads on Anadarko's west Africa acreage position, which includes interests in almost 8 million acres across 10 blocks offshore Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.

Anadarko operates the Venus well with a 40% working interest while Woodside holds 25%. The remaining partners are Repsol (25%) and Tullow Oil (10%).