By an OGJ Online Correspondent
CALGARY, Mar. 16--Ziff Energy Group, Calgary, said a study shows production from the Scotian Shelf off Canada�s East Coast could more than double to 1.2 bcfd by 2005.
It said production from off Nova Scotia, already producing from the Sable Island area, could increase to more than 2 bcfd after 2005.
�Offshore Nova Scotia will become a major gas-producing basin in North America, playing the dominant role in providing increased natural gas supplies to the US Northeast, (Canada�s), Maritimes, and possibly central Canada,� the study said.
Rick DeWolf, Ziff senior vice president, said the Scotian Shelf has estimated reserves of 18 tcf and that could increase to 50 tcf.
The Sable Offshore Energy Project off Nova Scotia produces 450 MMcfd, which is shipped to markets in the US Northeast and Canada�s Atlantic provinces via the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline Ltd.
PanCanadian Petroleum Ltd., Calgary, has announced plans for a $1billion (Can.) development at its Deep Panuke field, which has estimated reserves of 1 tcf. Canadian Superior Energy Inc., Calgary, said it will drill a $24 million (Can.) test on its Marquis property, contiguous to the Deep Panuke reservoir (OGJ Online, Mar. 14, 2001).
Companies have staked out extensive acreage in the region and are in the early stages of seismic mapping, including deeper water areas.
Ziff said the region features an established infrastructure and proximity to large markets. By comparison, Arctic gas development in the Mackenzie Delta and Alaska North Slope is at the feasibility stage for pipeline development to southern markets.
