NLIS 1
August 24, 2001
(Industry, Trade and Rural Development)
 

Centre for Earth Resources Research completes seismic survey in Port au Port 
with contribution from Offshore Development Fund 

The Centre for Earth Resources Research (CERR) of Memorial University of Newfoundland is in the process of interpreting data from a seismic survey completed late last year in Port au Port Bay. The seismic survey was made possible by two contributions of $750,000 and $250,000 from the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Development Fund (ODF). In 1998, the ODF awarded the funding to CERR to purchase a marine seismic acquisition system valued at $750,000. In 2000, the ODF awarded additional funding of $250,000 to acquire seismic data in the Port au Port Bay using the new equipment. 

"The ODF funding enabled CERR to purchase a state of the art seismic streamer and acquisition equipment which allowed the Centre to complete the seismic survey," said Industry, Trade and Rural Development Minister Beaton Tulk. "This is exactly what the ODF was intended to do � to help increase the province's capabilities in areas related to offshore oil and gas projects so that we can maximize the potential of our offshore resources."

Minister Tulk said that CERR's project will send a message to the industry. "This project demonstrates a wholly Newfoundland capability to acquire, process and interpret high quality, commercial seismic data. Everyone from the field crew to research scientists consisted of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians." 

CERR completed the field work in Port au Port late last year and the interpretation of the data is now under way. A report detailing the interpretation of the data will be released within the next few months. In addition to providing new seismic data, the survey should stimulate additional industry interest in the area's petroleum potential.

CERR is part of the Department of Earth Sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Its mandate is to research issues and identify opportunities related to mineral resources, petroleum resources, exploration technology, and environmental geoscience. 

The Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Development Fund was established out of the Atlantic Accord and it is jointly administered by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada. 

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-4570

2001 08 24                                                     9:55 a.m.