Husky Energy, Norsk Hydro Canada Announce Oil Discovery
Husky Energy Inc. Norsk Hydro Canada Oil & Gas say they have found new energy deposits near the Terra Nova oilfield off the East Coast. Calgary-based Husky and Norwegian-owned Norsk Hydro said late Tuesday that offshore drilling in the Jeanne d'Arc Basin off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador had found hydrocarbons near Terra Nova, Canada's second major offshore field after Hibernia. The companies said the West Bonne Bay F-12 well is about 320 kilometres southeast of St. John's. Under a farm-in agreement with Norsk Hydro, Husky drilled the well to a depth of 4,666 metres and also drilled a sidetrack well to determine the size of the oil reservoir. Both wells showed energy deposits in the Upper Hibernia formation, the companies said.
Newfoundland Stands Firm on Hebron Royalties
According to a report in the Chronicle Herald, the Newfoundland government is not bowing to pressures from big oil to reduce its royalty rates from the proposed $5-billion Hebron heavy oil project in the North Atlantic. In April, it was announced that the Hebron project was being suspended after its partners were unable to reach a development agreement with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Hebron, located 350 km off the Newfoundland coast, is estimated to contain 731 million barrels of oil. Oil majors with a stake in the project include ExxonMobil, Chevron, Petro-Canada and Norsk Hydro Canada Oil and Gas Inc. (Source: http://thechronicleherald.ca)
Chevron Postpones Newfoundland Venture
Chevron Canada Ltd. says its partnership has decided to suspend negotiations with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador and demobilize the Hebron offshore project team after failing to reach a development agreement with the province. The joint-venture partners are ExxonMobil Canada, Petro-Canada and Norsk Hydro Canada Oil & Gas Inc., a subsidiary of Norway's Norske energy and industrial giant. Toronto Star reported that Hebron poses a number of challenges due to the high degree of technical complexity associated with recovering heavy oil in a harsh marine environment. While project activities have been suspended, the co-venturers remain positive that activities could proceed at a future date after a deal is reached with the provincial government.
