Seismic starts in central British Columbia's Nechako basin

July 7, 2008
Industry-led, nonprofit Geoscience BC has launched a 350 line-km 2D seismic survey southwest of Prince George in British Columbia's nonproducing Nechako basin.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, July 7 -- Industry-led, nonprofit Geoscience BC has launched a 350 line-km 2D seismic survey southwest of Prince George in British Columbia's nonproducing Nechako basin.

The Vibroseis survey on existing forest roads is the first seismic shot in the basin since the early 1980s.

The survey area is largely contained in the Nazko First Nation's Traditional Territory, and seismic contractor CGGVeritas is providing training and employment opportunities to Nazko citizens.

The area west of Quesnel is also in the heart of the mountain pine beetle affected area of interior British Columbia, said British Columbia Energy Minister Richard Neufeld.

"Successful oil and gas development in the Nechako basin has the potential to help offset the economic impacts of the mountain pine beetle infestation," Neufeld said.

The Northern Development Initiative Trust Pine Beetle Recovery Account is providing $500,000 of the $2.5 million cost of the survey.

After Canadian Hunter Exploration Ltd. shot 1,300 line-km of 2D seismic in the basin 25 years ago, five wells were drilled but hydrocarbon exploration ceased shortly after. The basin's oil and gas potential is still not well understood, said 'Lyn Anglin, president and chief executive officer of Geoscience BC.

This survey complements ongoing seismic monitoring, geophysical, and geological studies of the basin being supported by Geoscience BC in partnership with Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, and Natural Resources Canada.