NLIS 7
September 26, 2003
(Mines and Energy)

 

Government to acquire new data offshore Labrador

Mines and Energy Minister Walter Noel today announced that government, in co-operation with C-Core, Fugro Jacques Geosurveys Inc., Voisey�s Bay Nickel Corporation, and the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), has agreed to participate in the collection of image data that can be used in the analysis of the effects of seabed iceberg scour offshore Labrador.

This survey work, combined with the other GSC survey sites, is being conducted by Fugro Jacques Geosurveys Inc. The surveys cover the Bjarni and North Bjarni fields which are estimated to contain about 3.1 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas and 113 million bbl of natural gas liquids.

Funding for this initiative was provided by the Department of Mines and Energy, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Industry Canada under the Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement (CEDA). The total cost of the study is estimated to be in the range of $40,000.

"This new survey work will provide critical information that will be useful in determining iceberg scour challenges offshore Labrador," said Minister Noel. "The last surveys completed on the Bjarni and North Bjarni fields were conducted 20 years ago.

"Government and the other stakeholders will be examining seabed features including the slope of the terrain, depths and other aspects that are affected by iceberg scour. This will help identify potential challenges related to the development and landing of natural gas in Labrador using pipeline technology in this iceberg prone area.

"This latest initiative is in keeping with our efforts to provide information to industry and encourage new investment possibilities. We have recently released detailed and updated information on land parcels offshore Newfoundland, and we are hopeful that this new data acquisition process offshore Labrador will encourage petroleum companies to re-examine the potential of this area.

"We will continue to be proactive and ensure that the global petroleum industry views Newfoundland and Labrador as an attractive place to do business."

Media contact: Darrell Mercer, Communications, (709) 729-5777

2003 09 26                                          2:10 p.m.


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