By an OGJ Correspondent
LIMA, Aug. 13 -- Occidental Petrolera del Peru Inc. now has three blocks on which to explore in Peru, having signed a license Aug. 9 with Peru's state oil agency Perupetro SA for Block 103 between the Loreto and San Martin regions in Peru's Upper Amazon, where it will record 400 km of 2D seismic and drill two exploratory wells.
Occidental also expects to start drilling on Block 101 by 2006. Talisman Energy Inc., Calgary, and Amerada Hess Corp. will participate with 25% interest each. A social environmental impact study is under way along with preparations for geological studies and reprocessing 1,000 km of 2D seismic.
Meanwhile, Occidental spudded the Situche Norte No.1-S Aug. 2, the first of two wells planned on Block 64. The company will evaluate logs before yearend and spud the Situche Central prospect in early 2005. Occidental estimates expending $50 million on Block 64 for the wells and environmental and seismic studies.