REFILE-UPDATE 1-BP announces oil discovery in Gulf of Mexico

(Refiles to add "UPDATE 1" to headline) (Adds details and background)

HOUSTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - BP America Inc (BP.L) (BP.N) on Tuesday announced that a well drilled in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico has found hydrocarbon-bearing sands.

The well, which BP calls Freedom and partner Noble Energy (NBL.N) has called Gunflint, was drilled in 6,100 feet (1,860 meters) of water to a depth of 29,280 feet (8,927 meters).

Located in Mississippi Canyon block 948, the well hit 550 feet (168 meters) net of sands bearing oil and/or gas in Middle and Lower Miocene reservoirs, BP said in a news release.

"We believe that Freedom straddles Mississippi Canyon Block 948 and Mississippi Canyon Block 992," said Andy Inglis, chief executive of BP Exploration & Production Inc.

Appraisal will be required to determine the size and commercial workability of the discovery, BP said.

BP Exploration is operator with 25 percent ownership. Other partners are Noble with 37.5 percent, Samson Offshore Co, 25 percent, and Marathon Oil Co (MRO.N) 12.5 percent. (Reporting by Bruce Nichols)