Development in petroleum exploration offshore West Greenland during 1977

Abstract

Four wells were drilled offshore West Greenland during the summer and early autumn of 1977, these bringing to five the total number of wells drilled so far in this region (Table 2). Three of the wells were situated in water depths of 104 to 163 m on the continental shelf while the fourth, Ikermiut 1, was drilled in 447 m of water on the continental slope (fig. 11). All four wells were dry holes, and were plugged and abandoned immediately after completion of the drilling, all installations being cut off below the sea floor. GGU staff were closely involved, together with other representatives from the Ministry for Greenland, in the assessment of the drilling programmes in advance of the drilling, and GGU was represented on the ministerial group that followed the progress made in each well from day to day. GGU staff paid at least two inspection visits to each of the drilling platforms. Cuttings samples, core splits and copies of all well logs were submitted to the Ministry by the operators and are currently being worked on independently by the Survey. Numerous discussions were held throughout the year with representatives of the operating companies that were drilling or had drilled wells offshore.