The
lack of exploration success continues to dog Canadian
outfit, Talisman Energy, again failing to find hydrocarbons
in commercial quantities.
The
company has completed its second well in the eastern
block, Shadon Benin, and follows its failure in
the first well, Zaboca 1, in which it encountered
stuck pipe and was unable to complete the well.
Talisman’s
country manager Des Norris would only confirm that
the well was completed but said with the new bid
round not yet closed he was keeping the information
close to his chest.
He
said the results of Shadon Benin would be reviewed
to see if there were lessons that could be learnt
as they prepare to drill a third well, Shandilay
1.
“We
always review the information from any well we drill
and, yes, sure we will be reviewing the information
from Shadon Benin to see what we have learnt,”
Norris told the Business Guardian.
Shandilay
1 is expected to be drilled south east of Zaboca
but still north of the Naparima Mayaro Road in Rio
Claro.
Norris
admitted that it has been tough going trying to
drill into the cretaceous rocks.
“We
are drilling into very old rocks and we are drilling
very deep wells and so it has been taking considerably
longer than we would normally have taken had it
been a shallow well or younger rocks.”
Norris
said that he remained optimistic that oil could
be found in the eastern block although the first
two of a three-well drilling programme have proven
unsuccessful.
“We
are hopeful we will find oil in Shandilay and that
is the reason we are drilling this well. It is difficult
for me to say if I am as optimistic about the Eastern
Block now as I was at the start of the programme
because as you know in exploration sometimes success
comes very late.”
Norris
said no decision had been taken if Talisman would
retain the block after it has completed the third
well and if there was no exploration success.
Industry
sources have said that the best prospect in the
eastern block lies in the Nariva Swamp but no approval
has been granted for Talisman to drill in the protected
area.
Norris
refused to comment on whether Talisman wanted to
drill in the swamp.
“When
we are finished drilling the three committed wells
we will determine where we go from there.”
The
Trinidad Guardian
Thursday 23rd November 2006
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©2006 The Trinidad Guardian. All Rights Reserved.
