MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Good reception for Uruguay’s offshore hydrocarbons seismic data

Ancap member of the board Juan Amaro enthusiastic with the results

Uruguay’s oil and gas refining corporation, Ancap, reported it has sold seismic data on the country’s continental shelf hydrocarbons potential for the value of 20 million dollars which more than covers the costs involved in the several surveying operations.

Ancap member of board Juan Amaro said the interested parties bought the data in the recent Houston round and in the current annual show of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists taking place in Milan, Italy.

Amaro said Ancap is promoting Uruguay’s offshore geological and geophysics data with CGGVeritas, Frugo and particularly Spectrum which recently acquired all the multi-client seismic surveys.

“There have been quite a few business opportunities for hydrocarbons exploration and production contracts in Uruguay’s maritime basin”, revealed Amaro.

He further added that among the oil companies which have visited Uruguay’s stand in Milan and have shown an interest exchanging ideas with the Ancap technical team are BG, BP, BHP Billiton, Hunt Oil, Edison Petroleum, Tullow Oil, Noble Energy, Ecopetrol, ENI, Repsol and Conoco Phillips.

Ancap launched this month its international licensing, Uruguay Round II, which involves 15 blocks in the country’s Atlantic basin.

Companies interested have until next March to tender their offers. Ancap will then take six months to assess and evaluate the proposals.