Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Jun 22/01) - The permits and approvals are all but in place for a seismic project south of Nahanni Butte, now it's just a matter of political will.
The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has given Arcis Corporation, a Calgary-based geophysical company, the green light to proceed with a 1,900-square-kilometre seismic project, primarily west of the Liard River. The permits were expected to be officially issued today (Thursday).
As well, the National Energy Board has approved of Arcis' benefits plan.
However, the commitment from oil and gas companies to purchase the seismic data still hinges on First Nations' support, according to Brad Torry, vice-president of Arcis Surveys.
"Oil companies, before they invest the capital, want to know that some certainty or at least a process is in place," he said. "We're sort of at the same point as everybody else is: sitting back to see what will transpire here."
With the Nahanni Butte Dene band seeking support from the surrounding First Nations in the Deh Cho to proceed with the project, and with the Deh Cho Assembly scheduled for next week, Torry said he expects to know within a few weeks whether any slashing will begin this summer as initially hoped.
Arcis was proposing $10 million worth of seismic activity between June and September, and had planned to establish a 150-person camp near the Liard Highway.
"The window is shortening. If we don't have some sense (of approval) over the next three weeks, it would probably be delayed for a year," Torry said, adding that the permits would still be effective next year with an option to extend them, subject to the Deh Cho Process.
Leon Konisenta, chief of the Nahanni Butte Dene band, could not be reached for comment.
Torry suggested that support from First Nations does not mean they have to grant a rights issuance allowing oil and gas companies to immediately begin drilling within the seismic block.
"I think there's been a misconception that a rights issuance is going to happen in six months. It's simply not," he said.
At the same time, he said he recognizes the stages of the Deh Cho Process self-government negotiations. With the Interim Measures Agreement signed and an interim resources development agreement identified as a next step, "I think any rights issuance is naturally a part of that," he said. "We fully respect the process the Deh Cho is going through right now."
