Chevron, partners defer development of Hebron field off Newfoundland

Feb. 13, 2002
Chevron Canada Resources Ltd. and its partners have decided to stop evaluating the Hebron project off the eastern coast of Canada. They have been evaluating the project for 2 years.

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Feb. 13 -- Chevron Canada Resources Ltd. and its partners have decided to stop evaluating the Hebron project off the eastern coast of Canada. They have been evaluating the project for 2 years.

Chevron Canada, a unit of ExxonMobil Corp., the Canadian arm of Norwegian company Norsk Hydro AS, and Petro-Canada have determined Hebron's reservoir characteristics are more complex and demanding than those of the nearby Hibernia and Terra Nova developments.

"Up to 75% of the recoverable reserves are heavier oil, making offshore production slower and more costly," said Chevron Canada. Current technology would require a greater number of wells to be drilled which would make the project uneconomic.

"While we cannot find a way to economically develop it now, the resource base is a good one that may have longer range development potential," said Chevron Canada Pres. Jim Simpson.