Bahamas Petroleum applies for offshore drilling rights

Bahamas Petroleum applies for offshore drilling rights

Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) has lodged an application for ‘environmental authorisation’ with the government of The Bahamas for offshore drilling rights, which represents the first step in commencing offshore field activity, according to the company.

In a statement Thurday, the company said, an application for environmental authorisation has been submitted in the prescribed form, as directed by the Ministry of Environment and Housing, and advised by the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission (BEST).

According to the statement, the company’s application is in accordance with regulation 3 (1) of the Petroleum (Offshore Environmental Protection and Pollution Control) Regulations 2016, and is part of the modernised and strengthened requirements governing the petroleum industry in The Bahamas, which took effect in July 2016.

“The submission of an application for environmental authorisation is an important milestone for BPC, as we move toward offshore field activity and operations in The Bahamas,” said Simon Potter, chief executive officer (CEO) of BPC.

“Under the new Petroleum Regulations introduced in The Bahamas in 2016, commencing of any substantive field operations involves first applying for environmental authorisation, our application today [Thursday] is the first, mandated step in our planned program of work, consistent with the regulations and our licence commitments and obligations.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with the Ministry of Environment and Housing and the BEST Commission as we discuss our application, so that together, we can prepare for safe and environmentally responsible operations,” Potter said.

“BPC’s endeavours to secure a farm-in partner are progressing in parallel submission of Thursday’s application, in accordance with our licence obligations, is an important consideration in that process.”

The oil and gas exploration company is expected to move toward offshore field activity once the authorization is approved.