Petroleum geological activities in West Greenland in 2001

Greenland petroleum geological activities at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) during 2001 were focused mainly on the preparation of the 2002 licensing round offshore West Greenland. Promotion of the exploration opportunities in the licensing round area between 63° and 68°N has played an important role together with launching of new seismic and geological projects. Critical evaluation of the results from the Qulleq-1 well drilled in 2000 has continued in this context. The Statoil group relinquished the eastern subarea of the Fylla licence at the end of April 2000, making all the Qulleq-1 data available for promotion purposes (see Christiansen et al. 2001a). The entire remaining area was relinquished by the end of the year. However, as part of outstanding working commitments, the Statoil group acquired approximately 1000 km of new seismic data, mainly from the western part of the licence area. These data have proven to be of great interest for companies evaluating West Greenland. The Phillips group relinquished the entire Sisimiut-West licence area by the end of the year, without entering the next phase of exploration which called for a firm commitment well.