Yellowknife (Dec 13/04) - Deline and Tulita have signed off on a one-year benefit agreement allowing Calgary-based Explor Data to do seismic testing in their districts.

The initial plan is for two exploration lines. One would go along the existing Tulita-to-Deline winter road and the other along an old route through Oscar Pass. The company also has a five-year vision and a map showing 14 proposed lines in the area between Wrigley and northwest of Colville Lake.

Leroy Andre, project co-ordinator with the Deline Land and Financial Corp., shows where a seismic cut line will go in the Deline district. It's the first oil and gas exploration deal signed in the area in 30 years. - John Curran/NNSL photo

"Even this year's agreement is still subject to government approval," said Marty Swagar, of Explor Data. "We hope to get started in January."

The project would be the first seismic work in the Deline district in about 30 years.

The company hopes to spend about $5 million per year, said Leroy Andre, of the Deline Land and Financial Corporation. Under the agreement, the work will go out for public bid, but Deline and Tulita contractors will have preferential status.

"It's something good for the community," said Raymond Taniton, president of the Land Corp. "We're going to learn from it."

As part of the approval process, Explor Data held public meetings in both communities. In Tulita, the majority of the 18 or so who showed up were potential project contractors. Swagar said the plan is to use low-impact seismic technology with the crew size pegged at 25-35 workers.

"Both communities would benefit," he said.

One member of the crowd raised the issue of what could be done to help hunters and trappers who are negatively impacted by the work.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe people set traps across winter roads," said Swagar.

"Actually, I'm trapping in that area," said Albert Bernard. "As long as there is going to be compensation, it doesn't bother me."

Swagar said there would potentially be compensation, but to what extent he couldn't say as the Sahtu Renewable Resource Council doesn't have any set formula in place.

Because an ordinary trapper isn't likely qualified to do seismic work, Alvin Yallee, owner of Blackwater Contracting, suggested these should be the people hired to be environmental stewards for the project.

"Who better to look after the land?" he asked.

When the issue of social support for the communities was raised, Swagar said Explor Data has always been a good corporate citizen.

"Our main focus is on the children," he said. "We make sure they are aware of the pitfalls of, for lack of a better word, progress."