Onshore Oil & Natural Gas - Current Activity

Onshore oil & gas exploration in Nova Scotia dates back to the 1800s, with oil wells drilled in Cape Breton.

Now, the exploration focus has switched, with gas, shale gas and coalbed methane taking the lead.

Onshore Exploration Outlook

2008 saw the completion of multiple wells in the Windsor Basin. The Nova Scotia Department of Energy is pleased to report on a number of onshore activities, all of which should be completed by the end of 2009.

There will be exploration wells, evaluation for shale gas opportunities, and up to two seismic programs.

There are currently six conventional exploration agreements plus three coalbed methane agreements held by industry.

These agreements account for one-million hectares, with exploration plans to be worth more than $10 million this year alone.

Exploration Call for Bids

The most recent Onshore Call for Bids - the Lynn Agreement - was awarded to Eastrock Resources Limited. Eastrock already holds an active exploration agreement in Cumberland County.

Exploration Activity

Currently Elmworth Energy (Triangle Petroleum Corporation) has signed off on their production lease, effective date of August 15, 2009. They continue with ongoing operations on their lease and exploring its potential for shale gas.

Forent Energy holds two onshore agreements and are currently evaluating their plans for the upcoming year.

Stealth Ventures Ltd. holds the rights to explore coalbed methane in the Springhill area. New technology and an increasing need for cleaner burning fossil fuel prove coalbed methane as an unconventional resource opportunity.

East Coast Energy Inc. holds the rights of a coal gas agreement in the Stellarton area; and Donkin Tenements Inc. also has a coal gas agreement in Sydney Basin area of Cape Breton.

PetroWorth Resources Inc. continues to hold their conventional agreement in Western Cape Breton Basin and completed their seismic program in the area.