Exploration
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| Exploration for oil and gas around the Queen
Charlotte Islands dates back to the 1918. Over fifty oil, tar and
natural gas seeps have been identified onshore across the islands
(Hamilton and Cameron, 1989).
Seeps are widespread and exposed in road cuts, quarries and beach
outcrops, with bitumen and tar as the main products. Lawn Hill on
the southeast coast of Graham Island contains one of the most extensive
surface oil seeps. Oil films are common on streams and pools that
drain from an area stretching from Otard Point to the head of Otard
Bay.
Offshore exploration in Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound started in the 1960's. The history of exploration and subsequent moratoria prohibiting it since then is well documented. Several oil companies - Chevron, Mobil, Petro-Canada and Shell - still hold leases on land parcels in the area (see map). The are numerous exploration hazards in the region, all of which must be considered before any development. These include extreme weather conditions (storms and waves) and the fact that the entire BC west coast sits on top of one of the most seismically active, earthquake prone regions in the world. If the current moratoria were lifted, the steps involved in finding and extracting oil and gas deposits are lengthy (see industry timeline). There are hundreds of tasks involved from scientific surveys to legal permissions to community co-operation. From an industry standpoint, there are four major stages of operations. 1. Exploration/Surveying This stage involves the actual search for oil and/or gas deposits. This is usually done by ships towing geophysical equipment that allows scientists to "take a picture" of the layers of rock beneath the ocean floor. Thorough analysis and interpretation of the gathered information determines potential drilling targets. 2. Construction/Development Exploratory wells are then drilled using special ships or platforms to take samples of the rock to detect any hydrocarbons that may be present. If economically viable oil and gas reserves are found, facilities must be constructed to extract it. This also involves setting up infrastructure to support eventual production. Throughout exploration and development a regulatory framework is established to safely manage operations and to ensure environmental protection. 3. Production Once all facilities are in place production begins and oil and gas are extracted and then transported to markets via either pipelines or tanker ships. There are two stages of production, primary and secondary, to maximize recovery before finished wells are filled and sealed. Sometimes the raw oil and gas are refined or processed into secondary products (e.g. gasoline, petrochemicals) before reaching their final destinations. 4. Decommissioning After all reserves have been exhausted, facilities are either abandoned, dismantled or converted for some other purpose. In an effort to extend the life span of offshore platforms, some are now used as marine research stations while others are sunk in an effort to create artificial reefs to promote marine biota. Major Operations in Offshore Development Seismic Testing
Find Out More: Historical Timeline | Exploration Hazards | Surveying/Exploratory Drilling | Construction & Drilling | Production |
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