Exploration/Development news briefs, June 5

Canadian company Sheer Energy Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary, Sheer Energy Ltd., said parties to the proposed development of Masjed-I-Suleyman field in Iran will push back the approval deadline to 135 days from Mar. 13, as opposed to the original 90 days from Mar. 13.

Tiverton Petroleums Ltd., Calgary, has begun tie-in work on two separate gas projects in southern Alberta. The two wells are capable of flowing 750 Mcfd with associated natural gas liquids and should be on stream at or shortly after the end of the quarter, said Tiverton.

Petroleo Brasileiro SA awarded Veritas DGC Inc. the right to acquire a nonexclusive 3D survey over 17,000 sq km on four contiguous blocks in the Santos basin off Brazil. Veritas Viking I and Veritas Viking II will begin the survey this summer and will complete it in a year.

Pioneer Natural Resources Co., Irving, Tex., increased its 2001 capital budget by $50 million to a total of $480 million to appraise various offshore discoveries and further enhance its exploration program.

The Australian state of Victoria has awarded Essential Petroleum Resources Ltd. permit VIC/P46 to explore Area V00-1 in the Otway basin, and Eagle Bay Resources NL has been awarded permit VIC/P47 to explore Area V00-5 in the Gippsland basin. Both are offshore blocks.