Drilling RIG SHORTAGE DELAYS PETRO-CANADA
A shortage of drilling rigs worldwide has forced Petro-Canada to delay its exploration for oil and natural gas 30 miles off Tobago’s northwest coast.
However, the Canadian oil giant is hoping that it would be able to do so in the second half of next year when it secures a rig.
The company had originally scheduled the drilling of its first well in December in a water depth of approximately 490 metres in Block 22, northwest of Charlotteville and a second well in September next year.
Petro-Canada Country Manager Blair Wylie told the prize giving function for the recent fishing Tournament at Rovanel’s Resort on Friday that “there are all sorts of stories and rumours doing the rounds” but the only reliable source was Petro-Canada. The company was the major sponsor of the tournament.
Representatives of the company met with Chief Secretary Orville London and Agriculture, Marine Affairs and the Environment Secretary Hilton Sandy last week to inform them of the change in schedule for drilling the wells.
Wylie said the company completed its seismic survey of the area in March and this produced a huge quantity of geophysical data, which had been processed and loaded into its interpretation systems.
He said a seismic boat named Native Spirit was currently doing a survey of the seabed and subsurface at two locations where the first wells would be drilled and the information gathered would be used to return the seabed to its original state following drilling operations.
He said one of the most significant items to achieve was a Certificate of Environmental Clearance from the environmental authorities and as a result the company had to carry out a full assessment of the impact it may have on the environment both at sea and on land.
He said the company through its Communications Specialist Rosemary Drummond will be having a second round of consultations with the stakeholders including fishermen who operate in the area.
© Tobago News
