WesternGeco to shoot 3-D seismic north of Ninilchik

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

WesternGeco is proposing a 3-D seismic exploration program in a 90 square mile area along the western coast of the Kenai Peninsula between Ninilchik and Clam Gulch. The program includes both offshore and onshore seismic exploration in an area which includes federal state, borough, Native and private lands and some state waters.

For the offshore program, a radio telemetry system would be used, and up to six lines would be in the water at any given time. A separate vessel will tow an array of air guns across the area.

For the onshore program heli-portable and low impact track mounted seismic drills will be used. Once set in place, the rig will drill a 3.5 diameter hole 20-35 feet deep, and 5.5 pounds of explosives will then be loaded in the hole. Surveying and drilling are scheduled to begin in February of 2003 and last through mid-March. Recording will begin in late March and should be concluded in the middle of May 2003.