Tullow to shoot 3D seismic survey offshore Jamaica

The Jamaican government has reported that Tullow Oil PLC will undertake a 3D seismic survey offshore the Caribbean island’s southern coast.

Jamaica’s Minister of Science Energy and Technology Andrew Wheatley told a natural gas conference in Kingston that having undertaken a 2D seismic survey over 11 blocks in the last 18 months, Tullow Oil was encouraged to proceed to 3D seismic.

“This is a significant development as it marks the first time in the history of Jamaica’s oil and gas exploration program that an explorer will carry out such detailed analysis of our offshore,” he said.

Wheatley said he hopes Tullow’s decision to proceed will encourage other companies to take up Jamaica’s 20 available blocks.

Wheatley added that Jamaica wants to position itself as a regional hub for natural gas. He said the turning point in the country’s future was marked by New Fortress Energy’s 20-year supply agreement with the Jamaica Power Service and the investment of $750 million in the construction of an LNG terminal in Montego Bay.

He said the intention is for LNG to make up 26% of Jamaica’s total energy supply by 2020 and 42% by 2030.

“Having identified natural gas as the fuel for our energy evolution, the government’s primary mission has been to facilitate a seamless introduction of this fuel of the future,” he said.

Jamaica does not currently produce oil and gas but there has been increased interest in the Caribbean basin with oil being found in Guyana, natural gas in Grenada, deepwater gas in Trinidad and Tobago, and plans for exploration offshore Barbados.