Albert Cilia-Vincenti, Attard
Are we sitting on fossil fuel reserves?
Some of our recent media concern about BP’s Libyan contract for offshore deep-water oil drilling sounded as if we had jurisdiction over Libya’s territorial waters. Perhaps what should concern us more is whether we could get BP to also drill in our territorial waters. But then, unfortunately, we still await Libya’s kind permission for us to access our claimed territorial waters, even after our Eddie Fenech Adami was reported to have been promised (during an official visit to our southern neighbour some time back) this matter would be resolved soon.
One hopes this is the main purpose of Muammar Gaddafi’s expected Malta visit, rather than just thanking us for services rendered in the recent Swiss-Libyan visa impasse.
It’s interesting that BP stated they had found oil when drilling in Naxxar in the 1950s but apparently not in commercial quantities, although those were the days when we had “British Go Home” graffiti and banners all over the island and on political party club balconies. Another oil company found gas in Gozo’s Kerċem a few years ago. Apart from wondering whether we are in fact sitting on enough gas for our own use (rather than having to buy it and ship it in), it all seems to indicate fossil fuel reserves are under us or close by.
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Joseph Ellul - Sydney
Sep 2nd 2010, 00:56
During the exploratory drillings done in the 50's, it was always reported that there was some kind of hydrocarbon deposits. The statements always followed with the words, "not enough pressure". The drilling operations in Qrendi/Siggiewi area where suddenly shut down and the drill head left in the hole. It was said that the pressure was so high that if the head was removed there would have been a spurt of oil so high that all Malta would have noticed.
By the next day the hole was plugged with readymix and the area graded and leveled so that there was trace left of the exact location of the hole.
In my opinion the world bank will wait until Malta is in real dept so as to get your oil cheaply.
Franco Scicluna
Sep 1st 2010, 19:54
A foreign friend of mine, stationed in Malta with family, but working with an oil firm in Libya many years ago, had often mentioned the fact that round Malta;s seas there is enough oil that would pale face that of Kuwait.
dennis cini
Sep 1st 2010, 20:23
it wouldn't be that amazing if the assertion that there is abundant oil around malta is true, considering that the mediterranean sea has a multimillion year history: enough time for oil to form and deposit
John Vassallo
Sep 1st 2010, 18:07
Someone had told me that when they were digging in Zabbar they had found hydrocarbons but then they went to dig in Naxxar. What are our politicians waiting for to see whether we do have hydrocarbons? Perhaps the announcement just before the general election?
joe felice pace
Sep 1st 2010, 10:36
It is interesting to remind that when Malta attained independence in 1964 4 files on the BP activities at Naxxar were not handed over to the Maltese government. I also recall that in 1948, when these activities were taking place, my uncle Carmel used to tell me that the 'dig' was giving promising results. He was liasoning with BP on behalf of the Maltese Government.