If you wish to know something about the Falklands in general, visit www.falklandislands.com
Q Who owns the Islands?
A They are a British Overseas Territory, and have autonomy for all aspects of life except defence and foreign affairs.
Q What are the water depths offshore?
A They range from <200m to about 550m in the North Falkland Basin, and up to 3,000m or so in the Southern Basins.
Q Was the 1982 war about oil?
A Emphatically, No. The UK Government was responding to its policy view that the Islanders should have the right to self-determination; the Islanders overwhelmingly wish to remain British.
Q Shouldnt the area be written off because the 6 wells in 1998 failed?
A Its a common misconception that they failed. Five of the six wells had oil and/or gas shows, one recovered live oil to surface, one encountered significant gas. Post-mortem analyses suggest that only one play type was drilled. It was on the worst possible migration route, above a regional seal. There is a proven, world-class source rock, plus other petroleum systems. There are numerous untested play concepts, targets and reservoir levels. Exploration in the basin is in its infancy.
Q What do you mean, exploration in the basin is in its infancy?
A Only six wells have been drilled, all in a very tight grouping, all aimed at the same play, and all drilled back to back from a single rig. Thats 6 wells in an area more than half the size of Texas! Theres a lot to play for yet.
Q Isnt the weather too harsh for oil exploration?
A No, not at all. Seismic surveying can be conducted for most of the year. Particularly in the North Falkland Basin, which is where we have the only experience, drilling is simple and straightforward, and almost unaffected by weather and currents.
Q What are the drilling conditions like?
A Quick and easy. A 3,000m dry hole can be drilled in about 20 days. Drilling rates are high, there are no unusual near-bottom currents and no known gas hazards.
Q I hear the 1998 wells were expensive. Why, and could wells be drilled cheaper?
A The 1998 wells were expensive because a rig was towed from the North Sea at very high day rates. There is no requirement to use a North Sea rig here. We have analysed the safety management systems of rigs available more locally, and they all appear fit to work here. The fast drilling rates achievable in the area mean that wells should be relatively inexpensive.
http://www.falklands-oil.com/