Petro Trans has contracted BGP and Sunrise, Chinese companies, to undertake seismic survey and exploration well drilling of the Calub and Hilala gas fields in Ethiopia according to Richard Spooner, Country Manager for the company.

BGP was hired last month to collect seismic data from the Hilala, calub, Genale and Warder blocks explained Spooner. Experts from the company have already begun analyzing the petroleum data collected from the Ogaden he said.

The earlier seismic data received from the MoM will interpreted as BGP collects new data  and drill areas will be decided on the basis of the findings from these studies he noted.

Sunrise was hired by Petro Trans to undertake the well-drilling work.

The company plans to drill additional exploration wells in Hilala and Calub as well as verifying the existing gas reserves at the two sites said Spooner. It is expected that Sunrise will begin drilling by the end of the current year.

Petro has also hired Chapman Engineering and NuTech to handle studies to construct the gas processing plant which is still in the early stages added Spooner. The two companies contracted for the construction project specialize in geology and construction he said.

Petro Trans aim to build an oil pipeline between South Sudan and Djibouti or Kenya. The company is currently in negotiations with Southern Sudanese officials and declined to comment further on the issue.

 Source: The Reporter