MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

BHP Billiton oil survey vessel on its way to Falklands

MV Fugro Saltire

The Falkland Islands are expecting the arrival in mid-January of the brand new Fugro Saltire a survey, construction support and intervention vessel, built earlier this year, which is to carry out seabed surveys for BHP Billiton.

Moored in Falmouth in the UK at present, visitors to the docks have said they are impressed with the vessel. Andrew Bell, formerly of Curnow Shipping Ltd and a friend of Rob Pitaluga, said the ship is the largest off shore supply vessel he has ever seen. It is thought that the Fugro Saltire is being fitted with a drilling rig before heading south. Representatives from BHP Billton visited Stanley last November to lay the groundwork for the Southern Ocean drilling program which they hope will begin in some 12 to 18 months time. At the time the head of the Falklands exploration project, Deb Pfeiffer, and External Affairs manager for BHP, Julie Tushingham were confident that the melt-down of worldwide financial institutions will not impede the program. Since BHP Billiton entered into a licence farm-in agreement with Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd in October 2007 and acquired a 51% holding in the company, the presence of BHP Billiton has considerably increased interest in oil exploration in Falklands' waters. BHP Billiton interests refer to the East Falkland Basin located off the southern and eastern coast of the Falkland Islands. The production licenses cover approximately 18 million acres and are located in water depths ranging from approximately 200 to 2,000 meters. At the time Steve O'Rourke President Exploration of BHP Billiton Petroleum said "We believe this substantial Falklands acreage will be a good addition to BHP Billiton Petroleum's global portfolio and we look forward to working with our partner to pursue this under explored area" He added that "with our strong focus on growth, we now hold a significant interest in this high potential basin and will utilize the talent of our team to safely execute an exploration program in the Falkland Islands".(PN, MP).-