China Orders 'Blacklist' of 31 North Korean Vessels
Chinese maritime authorities must "blacklist" 31 boats operated by a North Korean firm that came under U.N. Security Council sanctions this week, according to a Ministry of Transport document reviewed by Reuters - a signal that China is enforcing tough new curbs aimed at Pyongyang's banned nuclear program. The notice, dated March 3, says maritime safety agencies must "urgently" determine whether 31 vessels belonging to Ocean Maritime Management Co (OMM) are in Chinese harbors or waters, and notify the ministry. The latest U.N. sanctions, drafted by the United States and China, blacklist the vessels. The ministry's notice says authorities must not allow the vessels to enter Chinese harbors, adding the measures were part of the "exceedingly sensitive" work of enforcing the U.N. sanctions.
Oil Explorers Update on Thailand Assets
US-based Coastal Energy Company updates progress on Thailand rig location and pilot offshore facturing program. The Atwood Manta has arrived on location at the Bua Ban North B field and is currently rigging up. The Company plans to drill eight development and appraisal wells at Bua Ban North with the Manta. Following completion of these eight wells, the Company plans to mobilize the Manta to the KBM cluster offshore Malaysia in early Q213 to begin appraisal drilling there. The Company has recently tested hydraulic fracturing ("fraccing") with a three stage fracturing program in the Lower Oligocene in the Bua Ban South A-01 well. All three zones which were fracced have flowed back oil naturally during cleanup.
Bill Reintroduces to Permanently Ban North Coast Drilling
On Jan 11, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-North Coast) reintroduced legislation that would permanently prohibit oil and gas drilling off the coasts of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. The Northern California Ocean and Coastal Protection Act protects the marine environment along the Northern Coast of California’s outer continental shelf (OCS) from off shore drilling. Congressman Thompson also introduced this legislation in the 111th Congress. “It is critical that we permanently protect our coast and its vital marine life from the environmental hazards of off-shore drilling,” said Congressman Thompson. “In past Congresses, this important issue has become a political dispute rather than a debate on legitimate policy.
