Another milestone achieved in Ja's oil exploration project

The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica's (PCJ) oil and gas exploration programme has marked another milestone with the conclusion of the first 3D seismic survey carried out in Jamaica's offshore.

The survey, which was undertaken by Tullow Oil as part of a production-sharing agreement (PSA) with PCJ, ended on May 8.

According to the PCJ, the study, which covered a 2,250-square kilometre section of the Walton Morant block, took approximately 45 days and was completed within the projected time frame.

The work was done by marine geophysical company Polarcus, whose principal seacraft, The Adira, was supported throughout the operation by three vessels, one of which was Jamaican-owned.

In addition, observers from several local organisations, including the PCJ, the National Environment and Planning Agency, the Fisheries Division and the Caribbean Maritime University, were deployed on The Adira and its support vessels for the duration of the survey.

Group general manager of the PCJ, Winston Watson, noted that while the process can be painstaking, Jamaica still has to acknowledge these significant milestones.

"The 3D Seismic Survey, Jamaica's first, is the most advanced oil-and-gas exploration study ever carried out in Jamaica, and its completion marks the steady progress of the exploration PSA the PCJ signed with Tullow in 2014," Watson said.

"Tullow's decision to do the 3D Seismic Survey shows that the data indicators are pointing in the right direction, and we hope that the results of the post-survey data analysis will prompt them to move forward to the next phase," he added.

Analysis of the data gathered from the six-week survey could take between a year and 18 months.

The findings will determine if Tullow will elect to drill an exploratory well in Jamaica's offshore in the future.