By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 23 -- Jack ups are now allowed to drill on the Grand Banks off Newfoundland and Labrador at certain times of the year, said the Canada-Newfoundland Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB).
The decision was based on C-NLOPB's study of the abilities of new jack ups to withstand weather and water conditions of the Grand Banks and to meet guidelines established by the board. Another consideration was a historical review by C-CORE, a global research and development firm, of 44 years of ice patterns to determine whether an ice-free season exists.
The studies revealed that using a jack up on a seasonal basis on the Grand Banks is feasible. C-NLOPB said increased exploration is probable now that operators have another drilling option.
Later this year, Husky Energy Inc., Calgary, will use the Rowan Gorilla VI jack up for drilling in the South Whale basin. It will be the first use of a jack up for exploratory drilling on the Grand Banks.
Jack ups have been used off the province's west coast in the mid-1990s and off Nova Scotia for a number of years.
C-NLOPB began to assess the seasonal use of jack ups on the Grand Banks after a seminar it sponsored last year on ice and oil.