Lagoven, a subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa), has completed the first stage of an exploration program in a swampy region of eastern Venezuela.
A seismic survey, carried out between the city of Maturin and the Gulf of Paria, took 600 workers 1 year to finish, said Freddy Chiquito, Lagoven geology department manager. The project involved about 2,708 km of seismic lines, averaging 4.6 km/day.
Next on the schedule are interpretation of data and selection of drillsites. The target is light to medium oil.
The rugged region in eastern Venezuela covers about 10,000 sq km. It is often flooded, depending on the time of year. Water depths range from 20 cm to 1 M.
Helicopters and swamp buggies provided transportation for crews and equipment.
The project marked the first time a seismic survey was carried out in the wake of a gravimetric survey in Venezuela. Gravimetric data showed that oil bearing structures north of Monagas extended east into the swamp.
Other signs that the swamp might hold oil reserves are oil zones identified north of Monagas at El Furrial, El Corozo, Boqueron, and San Vicente. Nearby, Pdvsa affiliate Corpoven has developed Musipan and El Tajero fields.
In addition, the Guanoco Asphalt Lake lies northeast of the region.
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