Acquiring Seismic Data
Following Cairn being awarded the exploration licences for offshore areas (known as blocks), the Company implements a seismic programme to develop a better picture of the subsurface area. A seismic programme uses sound waves to help create a map of the rock formations beneath the earth's surface.
Cairn has been, and continues to, implement seismic programmes offshore Greenland since 2008, during which time there have been no injuries or environmental incidents. These surveys have been evaluated by Cairn's team of geologists to help them to pinpoint the exact locations for the exploration drilling offshore West Greenland during the summer of 2010.
Drilling Exploration Programme
Cairn is planning to carry out an exploration drilling programme of up to four exploration wells offshore Greenland in the summer of 2011. This programme follows on from the encouraging 2010 three-well exploration programme offshore west Greenland in the Baffin Bay basin.
The 2011 drilling programme will once again use a dual rig strategy with an emphasis on safety as well as providing increased operational capability and flexibility. The primary vessel, the Ocean Rig Corcovado, is a high-efficiency, sixth generation dynamically positioned drillship. The second vessel, the Leiv Eiriksson is a dynamically positioned semi-submersible. Both rigs are designed and equipped for working in harsh environments and their capabilities far exceed the drilling and water depth requirements for Cairn's 2011 offshore drilling programme. Their dynamic positioning capability allows them to be more efficient and, by not requiring anchoring, minimises the impact of activites on the seabed.
A range of other vessels will provide additional operational support including cover for emergency response, rig stand-by, ice management, oil spill response, re-supply operations and helicopter support.
Cairn also plans to carry out a 3D seismic acquisition programme totaling approximately 4,500 square kilometers in 2011.
Managing our Impacts
Wherever possible, Cairn aims to avoid, mitigate or at the very least manage, any impacts exploration, development and production activities have on the environment, biodiversity and local communities.
As each country presents unique biodiversity and environmental challenges, Cairn hires independent environmental experts to implement an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to operations beginning in any area. Cairn uses the findings from these EIAs to manage its activities and minimise any potential impacts.