Petro-Canada
explores for gas in Tobago
Port Spain
Petroleumworldtt.com
01 13 08
PETRO-CANADA
has begun to conduct well tests off Tobago’s
north-east coast amid reports that it has located
a deposit of natural gas.
The
Canadian firm has been engaged in exploration
work an estimated seven miles off the coast of
Charlotteville for several weeks and has reportedly
located a deposit of natural gas, a source said.
The oil company was expected to “put out
a flare” on Friday, at the Cassra-A well
site in Block 22. In a statement, Petro-Canada
said the test “is an integral part of (its)
exploration programme in Block 22.” “Flaring
happens when an exploration well is tested to understand
how any gas or oil present flows from the reservoir,” Petro-Canada
stated adding that it could not make an announcement
about a discovery at this stage of the exploration
programme. The company said it expected to send
out the Diamond Ocean Worker last Saturday to the
well site to begin flaring operations.
The company explained the exercise entailed burning
gas under tightly controlled conditions using flare
booms as high as 80 feet.
It
advised fishermen and other vessels to stay a
safe distance from the rig as “radiant
heat from gas flares can cause serious burns and
start fires from several hundred metres away.” They
were advised to avoid the exploration site for
the next two to five days.
“Flaring will occur periodically (and) there
is no set timing for the flares, so all fishing
boats and other vessels need to stay well clear
during the flaring programme.” The company
said that its liaison officer would visit fishing
communities regularly to answer any questions raised
by fishermen and residents.
Story
by Marissa Williams from Newsday, Tobago Bureau
NewsDay
Monday
7th January, 2008
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