Esso starting 3D seismic activities for oil offshore Guyana

Jan 16, 2013 News

Preparations to restart offshore drilling for oil are underway, with a group expected to commence conducting 3D activities from Sunday.

Esso Exploration/Shell Exploration is to start 3D seismic activities from Sunday using CGG Veritas equipment.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), fisherfolks and mariners should be on the lookout for the sensitive devices that will be used.
The activities are being conducted by the Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd./Shell Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd., through CGG Veritas offshore Guyana.
“The exercise will involve towing a streamer of sensitive devices over a breadth of approximately one kilometre, length of eight kilometres and at a depth of seven metres. As such the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is urging all mariners and fisherfolks to be alert and take necessary precautions to avoid contact with sensitive equipment used to conduct oil explorations activities”
In October 2008, Guyana and Esso reaffirmed a Petroleum Prospecting Licence and Petroleum Agreement. A release from the GGMC then said that Esso was required to immediately acquire a regional 2D seismic target area.
“These surveys may be followed with 3D imaging methods that will include 3D seismic, all in an effort to identify possible targets for drilling. The decision point for drilling will be made if any suitable targets are identified,” GGMC had said.
Esso got its licence in July 1999 for exploratory works and commenced its programme of regional aeromagnetic and 2D seismic exploration along with other investigative procedures.
These operations were discontinued as a result of the Guyana/Suriname maritime boundary dispute which has since been resolved in the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
Guyana has already had two wells drilled in its waters, but these failed to find oil in commercial quantities.