Malta to start new oil exploration drive
(MRA)
The government is to start marketing more licences for oil exploration in Maltese waters, Resources Minister George Pullicino said.
Mr Pullicino said the government felt the time was right for the move after the industry suffered setbacks from the economic crisis and the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last year.
"Now that the industry is recovering from the blows it has received , we feel it's time for a road show so that we could sell licences for oil exploration in territories which are ours that have not yet been committed," he said.
The marketing drive is planned to start in June.
At present two firms, Heritage Oil International (Malta) Ltd and Malta Oil Pty Ltd, have contracts for oil exploration in Maltese waters.
Heritage Oil was meant to start exploration by the end of last year while Malta Oil is contractually obliged to begin exploring by this July.
The companies had asked for amendments to their contracts and the ministry and the Malta Resources Authority are now waiting for feedback from their end, the minister said.
Last year, the Oil Exploration Department within the MRA held talks with oil companies interested in exploring acreage in Maltese waters.
Oil exploration rights in the Mediterranean have been contested between Malta, Italy and Libya.
In March 2008, Libya wrote to Heritage Oil warning the company not to do any drilling in Area 7 ( on the Medina Bank), which the North African state claimed as its own. Heritage Oil was due to start operations in Area 7 and Area 2 ( which lies to the north of the disputed zone), where it was granted a licence by the Maltese government to explore.
Earlier this year, Malta wrote a formal letter of complaint to Italy after the Italian government offered oil exploration licences around the islands of Pantelleria, Linosa and Lampedusa.
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Steve Elliott
Apr 15th 2011, 22:28
the only oil to be found in malta is olive oil, lol
Mr Joe Xuereb
Apr 15th 2011, 19:12
@Carmel Callus. In-Nazzjonalisti kienu jbaxxu l-Laburisti, jghajjruhom 'riff-raff' u ħamalli, ta' tfal Pijunieri li konna. U ta' tfal li konna, għajb għax konna niddefendu ruħna biż-żejt li kellhom f'wiċċhom in-Nazzjonalisti? Ta' tfal li konna, biex niftehmu! Dak iż-żmien Malta kienet ossessjonata bil-klassi (soċjali) - il-pulit u l-ħamallu. Forsi issa kulħadd klassi medja Callus? 'Ħadd' ma jaf fejn ser jagħti rasu.
While I'm here. @Anthea Turner. May Malta strike oil! Extracting and refining? For these we'd have to rely on Western know-how. Exactly like all the Middle-Eastern countries had to do in THEIR time when they took time off from the sand dunes. But for the West, that oil would still be languishing, there, under the feet of the the tent-dwellers.
Mind you! supersonic aircraft and luxury cars and other oil-guzzling commodities were all Middle-Eastern inventions. Why do you think they make use of them? Down to the toasters in the kitchen. They did discover the '0'(zero) we're told; no doubt via the Greeks with their Parthenon and its with incredible - and deceptively - accurate alignments.....and never mind the ancient Egyptians with their matemathically accurate pyramids. Both achievements thousands of years prior to the great '0'.
Mr Joseph Mifsud
Apr 15th 2011, 18:44
Was it Gaddafi that stopped us striking oil on our own land in Gozo, or was it some other reason that the Nationalist goverment closed the oil exploration well in Gozo in 1998 ? To know the reason why just look at what is happening in Bahrain. This island nation is slightly bigger then Malta and its oil exploration is limited to it's mainland as it is surrounded by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Its rich in oil but the Sunni monarchy prefers the Sunni population which is 25% the other 75% Shiite population are deprived of the oil revinues. It's simple, if every body is rich, than the rich won't be rich any more. Do anybody think that the Maltese government is going to strick oil in Malta's much bigger maritime waters ?
Joseph Gaffarena
Apr 14th 2011, 21:29
This time we will make it.
Muammar is no longer our friend, so this time we will find oil
Peter Aquilina
Apr 14th 2011, 18:09
Have been waiting to hear of such news. Despite the "good relations" that Malta had with Libya during these past decades, could it be that now we (the Maltese) may resume with oil exploration in Malta's territorial waters ? ........without being militarily threatened as in the case of the Saipem oil-rig in the year 1980 ?
Mr Victor Azzopardi
Apr 14th 2011, 17:13
And what about Ta Cenc?Can anyone tell what really happened way back in 1997???
Mr mario gellel
Apr 14th 2011, 15:06
JAQAW GONZIPN BEHSIEBU IGIB IL-MEDITERRAN KOLLHA BOREHOLES ??? JEW KULL META JAQA IS-SUGGETT GHAL TALBA GHAZ-ZIEDA TA L-OGHLI TAL-HAJJA, IDAWWAR IL-PAROLI???
GVERN TA ALJENAZJONI, GIDEB U TAL-KASTIGI FUQ IL-POPLU TIEGHU.
Ms D Galea
Apr 14th 2011, 14:49
Good move by the goverment.
Mr D Bonello
Apr 14th 2011, 14:02
Now that Gaddafi is under th wrath of Nato, He will not try to bully us from drilling.
Mr Joseph Calleja
Apr 14th 2011, 14:31
Yes I think Malta better start digging and do it fast while Gaddafi has his hands full because when and if the dirt settles down he will be back bullying Malta and threatening us not to touch his precious oil supply. Who are we trying to kid? As long as Gaddafi is in power neither Malta nor Italy have a chance of digging for oil. Minister George Pullicino the window of opportunity is very slim, so better hurry up and start digging while our friend Gaddafi has his hands full.
Wenzu Vella
Apr 14th 2011, 16:03
What makes you think that any leader of the Libyan people would not implement the same attitude like Gaddafi. Are you assuming that the Libyan people are so stupid that they will let anyone deprive them from what they believe it is theirs.
Ms B Cassar
Apr 15th 2011, 13:17
Skond certu nies kulhadd qaddis, imbaghad ta l-afrika qaddisin fuq il-qaddisin terga. U halluna!!!! Il-kultura titla fuq ras kollox, u l-atitudni ta hafna popli ta l-afrika mhix differenti minn ta Gaddafi. Billi Gaddafi jitlaq, anke jekk tidhol id-demokrazzija xorta l-istess bazi ta atitudni se tibqa, mela l-unika hin biex ihafru huwa biss issa li kulhadd aljenat.
Mr Joseph Brincat
Apr 14th 2011, 12:51
Is the general election looming, by any chance?
(JB)
Mr michael sammut
Apr 14th 2011, 15:17
x'ghandha x taqsam l elezzjoni?? ghax mhux kullhadd jibbenefika jekk malta issib iz zejt, irrelevanti min jkun fil gvern!!!!
Joseph Scicluna
Apr 15th 2011, 07:05
There is no chance of of an election before two years as we have a very stable government!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr john vella
Apr 14th 2011, 12:30
Just a few months ago it was reported on the foreign news that Israel found the biggest known well of natural gas after exploring more than 500 wells in its territory. Yes we have oil all around us but I suspect we only say we START exploration drives when either election is looming or things are not going too well for the government. I guess the Malta-Gozo tunnel; the 800 new jobs of the White Rocks Sports village; the 140 new jobs for 3 ethanol plants to mention the latest 3 projects all run out of steam HA!
Someone once said: 'I will not play games' or 'We need to explain more', well Sir, please do!
Mr carmel callus
Apr 14th 2011, 12:11
@ Joe Xuereb. L-aktar li sibna zejt kien fis-snin sebghin u tmenin ghax taht dak il-gvern iz-zejt kien il-hin kollu tiela' f'wicc l-ilma.
Mr M Mamo
Apr 14th 2011, 13:36
sibtu z-zejt fil-50s? mela xamiltu bih? ghax fis-60s u 70s mux talli ma kellnix zejt talli kin ikollok tmur sqallija iggib naqa cikkulata u tilbes li jrid mintoff (u nitkazaw b'Gaddafi)!
josephine fenech
Apr 14th 2011, 16:26
sur mamo qabel veru konna mmorru ghac cikkulata pero almenu kellna l flus biex immorru, ara issa qed immorru ghal pilloli u jissallbu ghax m'hawnx fluz fl idejn.
Joseph Scicluna
Apr 15th 2011, 17:45
sinjura fenech. jista jkun li ma jibqghalekx flus ghac-cikkulata wara li tmur taghmel u tizboh xagharek u tizboh dufrejk xi darbtejn fix-xahar, il-mowbajl ma widnejk il-hin kollu, tombli kull gimgha, xi tlett tvs u computers id-dar etc. etc. U hallina!
Mr Joe Xuereb
Apr 14th 2011, 11:41
Niftakar konna għadna tfal (fis-snin ħamsinijiet) konna ngħidu: 'sabu ż-żejt f'wiċċ in-Nazzjonalisti!'
Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior
Apr 14th 2011, 11:29
Let’s hope that this time Malta will strike it!
And those usual moaners, would they kindly be positive for one moment, please?
JC.
Ms Anthea Turner
Apr 14th 2011, 11:08
This seems to be very good news for us.
However, if there is someone with any expertise, could they explain or envisage whether this will truly be financially viable for us in the long run when considering that:
1. We still do not have the means to refine this oil as to be able to sell it
2. In the context that we are trying to explore and use more sustainable means of energy rather than fossil fuels
Thank you for anyone who is willing to explain this to me :)
Mr Mark Blackburn
Apr 14th 2011, 19:55
This site should give you some insight on the use of FPSO's
http://wapedia.mobi/en/Floating_Production_Storage_and_Offloading
As for your second comment, if we do find oil, this will be a very good source of revenue to explore and implement any type of sustainable energy we like. ;)
Mr J. Borg
Apr 14th 2011, 10:36
the statement by George Pullicino on why he feels the time is right is a typical example of how naive politicians cannot utter a true convincing statement.
Mr Aristide Galea
Apr 14th 2011, 10:28
Here we go again. The same old story. Election time is getting closer. But let's hope for the best,maybe this time Malta will struck oil and hopefully we can get rid of our national debt.
Mr R Galea
Apr 14th 2011, 10:08
"F'gieh is sewwa Fred, ajdilhom li m'hemmx zejt!" tiftakruha din il famuza frazi tas sur onorevoli, emeritus, Edward Fenech Adami????? fej qieghed illum?? ghax ma tkellimx ukoll???
strategija tal partit nazzjonalista din... nispera li cikku u l poplu ma jkunux daqshekk injorant li jemmen, jghoma u jinsa l ghola tal petrol li garrabna tul daw s snin taht id dittatorjat nazzjonalista!
Mr John Bonnici
Apr 14th 2011, 10:02
Election time approaching !
Ever since I can remember this topic always comes up prior to any General Election and then after all has passed nothing happens!
Anyone else has the same feeling?
Mr Paul Borg
Apr 14th 2011, 13:01
Very soon, after the referendum on divorce.
Mr Joseph Sammut
Apr 14th 2011, 09:49
Mid dehra gejja l-elezzjoni !!
Mr M Vella***
Apr 14th 2011, 09:48
Finding oil is the only solution for the future of this island,Malta cant keep getting its money from taxing it citizens.Good luck to all of Malta.:)
Louis Cassar
Apr 14th 2011, 09:39
That is really good news for Malta. There is great volume of natural gas and oil in the Mediterranean basin. For those who have fears that the Greeks or the Italians will stop Malta I will give you the example of Cyprus. We all know that 37% of Cyprus is occupied by the Turks since 1974 when they invaded. After the ethnic cleansing of the Greek Cypriots of the North, in 1983 they declared the Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus, a puppy democracy that no one in the World recognize. Cyprus contacted research in their deep sea basin and found oil and natural gas. With the international law of the 12 sea miles and the exploration of the financial sea zone they came with an agreement with Israel, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria. Turkey was threatening with war(as usual) and that they will defend their "legal rights" in Cyprus!!! Cyprus continued with the agreement with Israel and set the boundaries. Now Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Egypt are discussing for the financial sea zone. Malta will follow the same pattern
Dan Jensen
Apr 14th 2011, 09:26
I do not understand why you guys are so excited by this at all. I imagine this will have an impact on the tourism as well in the long haul, why? Simple reason, who would want to swim in waters where you can see the oil digs? I know I would personally avoid it!
This is bound to affect the eco-systems in the mediterranean close to Malta and disrupt fragile systems as it is.
We are also sooner or later bound to have some spills, given the lack of control in Malta. In any case, you will always experience some spills, regardless of what measures..
Things like these, make me want to consider another country...
Eric Camilleri
Apr 14th 2011, 08:55
"Earlier this year, Malta wrote a formal letter of complaint to Italy after the Italian government offered oil exploration licences around the islands of Pantelleria, Linosa and Lampedusa."
....... and this is the true reason why Maroni, Frattini and La Russa get all so excited about the illegal immigrants dispute with Malta and not because they want to save any immigrant. The Italians are after our SAR area purely because of potential oil exploration. Mr Giletti might actually have a little secret up his sleeve hiding why he made such serious accusations against the AFM and who actually briefed him to do so on the Italian national TV station.
Philip Hili
Apr 14th 2011, 14:26
You are right Mr. Camilleri.
To add my views with what you have said, I have my doubt why in the past the Italian government used to grant millions of liri to Malta under the excuse of "The Italian Protocol" for infrastructure. As far as I am concerned, the grants from the Italian Protocol were not refundable by the Maltese Government. Who is going to grant you millions of liri (at that time) for nothing? Judging by the present behaviour of the Italian Government I am sure that the Italians are not going to give you something without receiving something in return!!
Mr R Psaila
Apr 14th 2011, 08:48
I wonder who will stop us this time from exploring for crude oil.
Eric Camilleri
Apr 14th 2011, 08:56
Rest assured that the Italians and the Greeks will do their best to stop us.
Christian Sciberras
Apr 14th 2011, 08:36
Sounds great!
With Libya out of the way, the next major hurdles are luck and nature, let's all hope and pray for the best.
Mr PHILIP RIZZO
Apr 14th 2011, 09:48
BASING ON PAST EXPERIENCE, I DO NOT THINK THAT THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS NEED WORRY UNDULY.
SURELY THIS IS YET ANOTHER ELECTION GIMMICK - WE SHALL BE TOLD A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTION THAT XYZ EXPLORATION LTD HAS SIGNED UP FOR BLOCKS 0,1,2 ETC AND THAT WE SHALL ALL BE RICH HENCEFORTH................................THIS GIMMICK HAS WORKED WELL IN MALTA FOR OVER 20 YEARS . NO DAMAGE DONE EXCEPT TO OUR CREDIBILITY !
Mr M Farrugia
Apr 14th 2011, 13:10
kulhadd isemmi li gejja elezzjoni u jorbot it-tfittija taz-zejt maghha hadd ma qal ghaliex fis-70 u 80 iz-zejt qatt ma tela. Ikun interessanti hafna li xi hadd jghid ghaliex dak iz-zmien baqa taht l-art minkejja li morna qorti internazzjonali.