MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
The search for gold and oil goes on in the Falklands
Mrs Phyllis Rendell, Director of Mineral Resources for the Falkland Islands Government reported this week on the various exploratory activities proceeding in and around the Islands.
Onshore Activities
Falkland Gold and Minerals (FGML) Board members traveled to the Falkland Islands for a site visit and Board meeting during the week of November 13th. Chairman, Richard Linnell and directors briefed the Department of Mineral Resources and Agriculture (DMRA) that they were well satisfied with progress to date with the company's work programme. They were particularly pleased with the way the local team led by Derek Reeves, the Project Manager, had overcome numerous logistical and technical issues and reported that the sampling programme was progressing to plan. They anticipate a further review at the end of the summer season, in May / June 2007.
Offshore Activities
The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) had an exhibition stand at the Perth, Australia meeting of the AAPG convention held from 5-8 November. 2,600 visitors attended. Phil Richards from the British Geological Survey, who are advisors to the Falkland Islands Government Mineral resources Department provided an excellent backdrop of posters that displayed opportunities for exploration in both northern and southern basins.
Mrs.Rendell was able before the convention to meet with Hardman Resources, a partner of FOGL, which has its headquarters in Perth. Howard Obee and Bruce Farrer from Borders & Southern Petroleum, attended the event and presented a paper on the prospectivity of their licensed area in the South Falkland Basin. Colin More from FOGL was present throughout the week as well. Marketing venues for the first half of 2007 are now being considered with FIG's operators.
Rockhopper Exploration's contractor, CGG, has started a 3D survey in the licensee's northern acreage in the North Falkland Basin. Weather conditions in late October slowed progress and a port call was required to repair damage from excessive winds but the vessel, Laurentian has, in the last week, been in steady production. CGG's support vessel Ibis, has been in and out of Stanley to transport supplies and crew to the vessel. The survey is expected to continue until early February. Keith Williams, Rockhopper's technical consultant, visited Stanley last week.
FOGL's contractor, Wavefield, has mobilised their vessel MV Bergen Surveyor to the Islands and is expected to arrive in the survey area in the South Falkland Basin this week.
FOGL also plan a CSEM or Controlled Source Electro-Magnetic survey (CSEM) in their acreage starting in mid January. OHM, a company previously employed by Rockhopper Exploration, has been contracted to do the work.
Desire Petroleum has also been active progressing their plans to drill three wells in the North Falkland Basin once a rig can be contracted. Meetings with BGS and DTi are in hand to finalise well designs and other technicalities related to drilling.
Argos Resources representative, Ian Thomson, is in the Islands this week and has been briefing the DMA on progress with their licence activities.
Phyl Rendell - Director of Minerals & Agriculture
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