Oil and gas wells off Mannar: Underground pipeline laying in January

Atapattu BANDARA and Vijayani EDIRISINGHE

The laying of underground pipelines for the new oil and gas wells off northwestern coast of Mannar will be started by January, Cairn Lanka sources said.

The team which engaged in exploring oil will leave the country tomorrow and the next team which will be engaged in laying pipelines will arrive in the country soon. Cairn India said that they intend to start the second phase of drilling for oil and natural gas deposits off Manner basin.

During the first phase that began in August, Cairn drilled three wells, but found no oil in the third well, the company said, adding that it will continue to study the other two wells off Mannar basin.

Cairn Lanka announced the discovery of the first gas well in early October at a place 38 km from the second oil well.

“Following the success, Cairn India has notified the Sri Lankan government of its intention to enter the second phase of exploration,” the statement said.

“The third well was drilled and abandoned on December 14, 2011,” it added. The company said it is too early to provide estimates of the size of reserves discovered and further drilling will be required to determine whether they are commercially viable.

The operations were conducted safely, in accordance with the highest global standards, within schedule, budget and in compliance with Sri Lankan regulations, it said.

“The support of the Government and an effective partnership with the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka were instrumental in ensuring the successful completion of the first phase exploration programme,” Cairn added.

The oil explorations were conducted with the support of Japanese owned vessel ‘Chikui’ and majority of explorers comprised Japanese nationals. The whole procedure is scrutinized by the Petroleum Resources Bureau chaired by Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga. In addition to Cairn India, there are some other foreign companies working on the project.

The transportation facilities for the explorers are provided by the Sri Lanka Air Force and Immigration and Emigration Department. It is reported that over 2,000 have been airlifted in 200 times by now.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/12/29/news03.asp