Peru greenlights hydrocarbons exploration project

Peru’s energy and mines ministry approved Olympic Perú’s environmental impact declaration (EID) to conduct exploration at onshore block XIII.

The US$19mn, seven-month project entails acquiring 3D seismic in the Casita area of the acreage in the northern region of Piura.

The work will cover 212km2 and further define results from 2D seismic collected previously to identify development well sites.

Approval does not constitute the granting of authorizations, permits and other legal requirements that Olympic must secure, according to ministry information.

The upstream operator submitted the EID to the ministry’s hydrocarbons environmental affairs office in November.

The block is the country’s fourth largest natural gas contributor after blocks 88, 56 and 57, the latter three of which account for nearly all gas production.

Olympic also operates neighboring block VII.

OFFSHORE SEISMIC

Meanwhile, hydrocarbons licensing authority Perupetro ruled out any impact to artisan fishing from seismic acquisition in the Trujillo basin off the coasts of northern regions Lambayeque and La Libertad.

The government agency made the comment in response to claims that fish would disappear, adding that Anadarko Perú is carrying out the work 50 miles off the coast.