Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 24/01) - Petro-Canada is proposing to conduct four seismic surveys and drill two or three wells in the Delta this winter.

John Hunt of Petro-Canada spoke last week in Inuvik about plans by his company to conduct seismic programs and drill wells this winter in the Delta. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

John Hunt, senior adviser for community affairs, outlined the plans during a series of community consultation meetings last week. More than 20 people attended a meeting at Ingamo Hall Aug. 15. Meetings were also held in Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk.

Hunt told the Ingamo audience that the programs are to go before a screening committee next month. He emphasized that low-impact seismic scans will be conducted, meaning that measures will be taken to make as little impact as possible on the environment.

Where dynamite is used, all seismic charges will be placed in accordance with government guidelines, taking into account cabins, archeological sites and other environmentally sensitive areas. As well, a limited amount of vegetation will be cleared.

After the meeting Hunt said Petro-Canada spent about $30 million in exploration last year in the area. He said it would be premature to say how much the company might spend this coming season.

"We will, however, over the next five years, spend probably in excess of $100 million in exploration programs," Hunt said (see related story).

WesternGeco will conduct the seismic operations, and representative Rick Calvert said that ice roads would be built first, beginning in late December or early January.

About 388 square kilometres will be involved in a 3D Nuna seismic program. The area lies on Crown and private Inuvialuit 7(1)(b) lands within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

The northern edge of the project area is about 30 kilometres southwest of Tuktoyaktuk, and the southern extent is 44 kilometres north of Inuvik.

Dynamite is be to the energy source, with Vibra-Ram technology used to place charges in lake bottoms.

The Napoiak program is located on Crown land within EL 405, and 2D seismic will be done over about 99 linear kilometres. Dynamite will be used. A gravity survey will also be completed within the general Napoiak areas, over an area of about 310 square kilometres.

Other programs

In the other two seismic programs, either a 2D or a 3D program will be done.

The Titalik program is located on Crown and private Inuvialuit lands within EL 395 and the Inuvik 1 Block. The "vibroseis" technique will be the primary energy source, with dynamite as a secondary source. The 2D program would involve about 76 linear kilometres. The 3D program would involve about 335 square kilometres.

The Ogeoqueoq program is located on Crown and private Inuvialuit lands within SDL 29, SDL 32, EL 385 and the Inuvik 2 Block. The 2D program will involve about 88 linear kilometres of line. The 3D program would involve about 395 square kilometres. The vibroseis technique will be the energy source.