The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), will partner with Norwegian firm, Wavefield Inseis, on a multi client offshore seismic survey to explore for oil and gas resources in Jamaica's territorial waters.
A multi client survey is one conducted to source data for sale to multiple parties, based on the results of the exploration.
According to a brief issued by the PCJ, the exercise involves the utilisation of a vessel carrying a sound source and towing a cable fitted with listening devices (a streamer). The sound pulses penetrate the seabed and reflects and records, by streamer, to produce an image of the strata, thereby identifying structures which could host oil or gas reserves. The cost of this PCJ acquisition programme will be in excess of US$8 million.
The brief states that Wavefield Inseis will be using the vessel, MV Discover 2, to conduct the survey with a source sound of 3,980 cubic inches and a streamer length of 9, 450 metres. The exercise will be, officially, an extensive 6,500 line km 2D Multi Client Survey.
The survey equipment specification will allow deeper rock penetration and better imaging of the deep-seated Cretaceous rocks.
Speaking aboard the MV Discoverer 2 at the Kingston Wharves on Wednesday (January 28), Minister of Energy, Clive Mullings, said he was delighted with the operation.
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| Minister of Energy, Clive Mullings (right), and Director, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), Wentworth Charles (left), look on as Operations Manager of the Norwegian firm, Wavefield Inseis, Francis McLaughlin (second right), explains the functions of the vessel, during a tour of the MV Discoverer 2 seismic vessel, at the Kingston Wharves, on January 28. The vessel will be used in a three-month seismic operation, which will be undertaken in Jamaica's territorial waters, to explore for oil and gas resources. |
"We are happy that we will be collecting data .We are confident, quite frankly, based on other seismic surveys, that there are indications of gas and oil," he said, noting that a bidding process will be undertaken later this year based on the findings.
"We are very hopeful, and I believe that we will achieve that elusive fossil fuel," he added, pointing out that the operation will last for three months.
"The operations to be undertaken [are] critical...because the data will guide us, and find those partners who will look into it," the Minister added.
Operations Manager at Wavefield Inseis, Francis McLaughlin, said that he was very pleased to work with the Jamaican authorities.
"We hope it is going to be a very successful survey and a safe survey for everybody," he said.
Wavefield Inseis is a marine geological company that provides proprietary data acquisition services, and offers a portfolio of non-exclusive multi-client data developed in partnership with oil companies and Governments, to the global exploration community. They have a fleet of seismic vessels operating worldwide.
