Cairn is complying with government regulations

On Friday the 2nd of July Greenpeace issued a press release, stating that the petroleum exploration company Cairn had started exploration drilling without respecting the conditions the Greenland Government had set, that there shall be two drilling units in the area. According to the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum this is not correct.

Greenland authorities have required that before normal drilling operations are started, a so called “pilot hole” shall be drilled, in line with the Norwegian Norsok regulations. This enhanced operational safety requirement implies drilling a small diameter hole through the shallow part of the subsea strata to confirm seismic analysis that there are no shallow gas pockets, or other near-surface risks present, before normal drilling operations are started.

Cairn has undertaken this shallow test regulatory requirement and has verified that there are no shallow hazards present. Cairn is presently casing off this shallow section and preparing the rig for drilling operations. Drilling operations will not be started until the second drilling vessel arrives in the area. The 2nd vessel is expected to arrive on Tuesday the 6th of July.