Exploration Acreage
BLOCK 3(a) EXPLORATION ACREAGE
In April 2002 Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries and a consortium comprising BHP Billiton, Talisman Energy, BG International and Total signed a Production Sharing Contract for Block 3(a). The first exploration sub-phase, originally scheduled for three years, has been extended to 21 October 2006. To date, three wells have been drilled as part of the minimum work obligation for the Block.
Block 3(a) encompasses more than 600 km2, or nearly 150,000 acres and is located directly east of Block 2(c) in water depths ranging from 30 to more than 90 metres. The three exploration wells drilled during FY 2004 - Bimurraburra-1, Delaware-1 and Puncheon-1, all encountered hydrocarbons, but none of the discoveries are currently considered commercial. Acreage surrounding the Delaware-1 gas discovery is contained in the Delaware Assessment Area filed with the Ministry and is also being reviewing for co-development with Angostura Phase 2. A fourth exploration well, Kingbird-1, commenced drilling in June 2006 with results expected by the end of August.
BHP Billiton has a 25.5% working interest in Block 3(a) and is the designated Operator. Other participants in the acreage include Talisman Energy (25.5%), Kerr McGee (25.5%), Petrotrin (15%) and Total (8.5%).