Canadian Superior Energy Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, announced it has formed a joint venture with El Paso Oil and Gas Canada Inc. to develop Canadian Superior's holdings offshore Nova Scotia. Present plans are for exploratory drilling on the Marquis Block this summer.
El Paso will participate in drilling and testing the initial exploration well on the Marquis Block, which is to be drilled to at least 14,100 ft total depth. El Paso also will be part of a 3D seismic survey that will cover Canadian Superior's Mariner Block.
The Marquis Block is located 12.5 miles northwest of Sable Island and is upslope and on trend with the Deep Panuke gas field 15 miles to the southwest. The Mariner Block is due west of Marquis.
According to the Nova Scotia Petroleum Directorate, exploration activity is picking up in the Nova Scotia offshore, with three wells underway or confirmed to be underway in 2Q 2002.
· Shell Canada Limited is targeting structures underneath its 1969 Onondaga gas discovery and is further evaluating the discovery itself. The Onondaga B-84 well is south of Sable Island and near the Sable Offshore Energy Project facilities. The well was begun in November 2001. TheGalaxy IIjackup rig is expected to complete drilling in May.
· Marathon Canada Limited's Annapolis B-24 well is the first modern day deepwater well offshore Nova Scotia. The West Naviondrillship spudded the well on Dec. 26, 2001. The well is located in 5,617 ft water depth south of Sable Island. The well experienced a gas kick in March and was plugged and abandoned. Drilling has resumed in a parallel location. Marathon now expects the well to be complete in late May 2002.
· Chevron Canada is expected to begin drilling Nova Scotia's second modern era deepwater well in May 2002. The company will drill on their deepwater exploration license EL 2359 using the Sedco Forex semisubmersible rig Deepwater Millennium.
