Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 24/01) - Chevron Canada Resources is applying to conduct five 3D seismic programs and 87 kilometres of 2D scans in the Delta this winter.

More than 20 people turned out for a community consultation meeting at Ingamo Hall Aug. 15 to hear about the upcoming programs.

Chevron land representative Delona Butcher said Chevron is working on these projects in conjunction with BP Canada and Burlington Resources Canada.

Kevin Williams, geophysicist with Chevron, said the proposal headed for the screening committee is the maximum amount of seismic Chevron would expect to have done this coming season.

The proposal is divided into northern and southern projects.

The northern projects consist of a trio of 3D programs, all on Crown lands within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The Ellice program involves 240 square kilometres of land on Ellice Island, and lies about 122 kilometres northwest of Inuvik.

The Mallik program involves about 212 square kilometres of seismic data on Richards Island, and lies about 123 kilometres northwest of Inuvik.

The North Langley program involves 21 square kilometres of land on Langley Island, about 124 kilometres northwest of Inuvik.

As well, about 59 kilometres of 2D seismic will take place on two lines on the north point of Richards Island. These lines were previously approved but were not completed last winter.

Chevron is using "vibroseis" as the primary energy source to conduct seismic in the northern projects, and Veri-Illuq Geophysical Ltd. will conduct the programs.

The southern programs will be conducted by WesternGeco, which will use dynamite as the primary energy source.

Both the Ogruknang 3D, and the Tumma 3D, programs take place on land on private Inuvialuit 7(1)(a) and 7(1)(b) lands in the ISR.

The Ogruknang project involves 120 square kilometres of land, about 55 kilometres northwest of Inuvik. The Tumma program involves 185 square kilometres of land, about 28 kilometres northwest of Inuvik.

As well, 28 kilometres of 2D will be scanned on two lines located on the Inuvik 2 Block.

Seismic crews for the southern projects will be housed in a mobile sleigh camp that will be located on the Mackenzie River.

Low-impact plans

Williams said seismic programs will be carried out with a high concern for the environment.

"We like to do low impact seismic," Williams said. "It's not zero-impact seismic, we do have to cut some vegetation to move people around safely in the Delta."

He explained workers will try to leave bigger vegetation standing and, when necessary, cut down smaller vegetation, such as willows, that grow back fairly quickly.

Williams also said there will be a limit on the use of heavy equipment on steep terrain.