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Earth, energy: If these rocks could speak |
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Archives -
2006 Archive
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Written by B. Tyril
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Monday, 08 May 2006 |
Beyond its responsibility for the overall administration of petroleum exploration activities, Jarđfeingi—Faroese Earth and Energy Directorate—is the new government agency that oversees energy as well as geological issues.
Since the beginning of oil and gas exploration on the Faroese Continental Shelf, the Faroese government has made no secret of its intention to ensure that the country—should no commercial oil find be made—at least, aided by funding from the licensed oil companies, should be able to achieve tangible benefits from progress in scientific research and development of local competence to participate in the petroleum activities.
So for the Faroese, there were multiple and manifest occasions—or challenges—for embedding such considerations into the Act on Hydrocarbon Activities, conditioning the granting of exploration licenses with commitments to funding research and development. One of the obvious challenges is to improve the understanding of the Faroese geology, in particular sub basalt prospects imaging and the energy that can potentially be generated from the winds that continually blow through the islands or the powerful waves that smash the seacliffs year-round.
In February 2006 the Faroese Petroleum Administration and the Faroese Geological Survey were merged into one body, the Faroese Earth and Energy Directorate—or simply, Jarđfeingi.
Whereas the Geological Survey was established in 1951, the Petroleum Administration was established in 1993. Since then, the two organizations have been located at the same place and at times also under shared management. The organizations have cooperated extensively and been integrated in hydrocarbon exploration matters.
The combined responsibilities of Jarđfeingi are defined as “the administration and responsible utilization of the Faroese earth and energy resources with the following main tasks: Hydrocarbon matters, hereunder to administer the legislation for hydrocarbon exploration and production; energy matters, hereunder to administer the legislation for generation, transportation and distribution of energy; and carry out research, consultancy, museum and educational tasks within relevant earth science subjects.”
The geological activity at Jarđfeingi includes research in geology and physical geography within the Faroese region both on shore and offshore. One current project of interest is a major update of the geological map and memoir from 1969. The new memoir and map is due to be published in 2007, and the project will take into account and document advancements in the understanding of the Faroese geology which has taken place over the past years. Another area that has received particular attention is the mapping of geohazards in relation to spatial planning.
Jarđfeingi managing director Sigurđ í Jákupsstovu said: “Through the use of new computer software, new patterns become visible, which means we get new information and more accurate pictures of the Faroese geology and through this a better understanding of the development of the region.”
As to current projects in energy, Jarđfeingi is engaged in drafting an energy policy and a bill on electricity on behalf of the Faroese government, in consultation with a hearing group consisting of representatives from the power utility, municipal authorities, environmental groups and others. Importance is attached to future energy developments being carried out in an environmental friendly manner and to the increased use of sustainable energy resources.
Doubtlessly, this year’s most prominent item on the cards for Jarđfeingi is the drilling of the sub-basalt Brugdan prospect in License 006. “This is a highly significant well,” Mr í Jákupsstovu said, “which first and foremost will test the license for hydrocarbon bearing formations, but as it is the first sub-basalt well in the Faroese area it will also provide important geological information to aid future exploration.”
Link to pdf presentation...
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