Italy

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 15 -- Northern Petroleum PLC launched a 3D seismic survey on four licenses in the West Sicily thrust belt off Italy.

Shooting of as much as 1,520 sq km on the G.R17.NP, G.R20.NP, G.R21.NP, and G.R22.NP licenses in the next 2 months is part of the work program funded by Shell Italia E&P SpA under a farmout announced in December 2008.

The aim of the survey is to obtain a better quality and more complete definition of the encouraging structures identified from two previous 2D seismic shoots and firm up prospects for drilling.

Under the terms of the farmout, Shell holds 55% in G.R17.NP and 70% in the three other licenses. The thrust belt is part of the major thrust system that includes large oil fields onshore in Italy's Southern Apennines and continues into Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.