Minister Joe Mizzi visits site of Gozo Well

The site preparation of the stratigraphic well "Il-Madonna Taz-Zejt" in Gozo was completed on 24th April 1998 and the site was commissioned today, to SAIPEM's Area Manager Mr. Alberto Gallegioni, in the presence of the Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr.Joe Mizzi, the Parliamentary Secretary for Gozo, Dr. Anton Refalo and the Major of Kercem, Mr. Paul Gauci.

Minister Mizzi said that works on site commenced on 3 March 1998, shortly after the Planning Authority granted its permission to drill the well. The site, which occupies an area of about 10 tumoli, was first surveyed to record details of its natural conditions before it is disturbed by works. This will ensure the proper reclamation of the land for its return to agricultural use, once drilling is completed. Approximately 8,000 m3 of soil were then removed from the site and temporarily stored in a disused quarry in the vicinity of Kercem.

The Minister said that care was taken in this operation to ensure that the top-soil is removed and stored separately from the sub-soil, so that the agricultural characteristics of the site will remain unchanged, once the land is reclaimed. The exposed bedrock was then levelled with backfill and concrete platforms needed to support the rig structure, engines and ancillary equipment, were constructed at ground level. A number of open concrete pits were also constructed to hold the fuel tanks, run-off water, drilling mud and freshwater. In addition, the Water Services Corporation laid six kilometres of 10-inch pipeline from Ta' Cenc reservoir to the site, to provide an adequate supply of freshwater needed for drilling.

Minister Mizzi added that works were carried out in accordance with the latest international petroleum standards, which lay heavy demands on environmental protection, health protection and safety considerations. In this respect, the drilling contractor, SAIPEM Spa, has a long and outstanding worldwide record of drilling experience in environmentally sensitive locations, including urban areas and national parks.

The mobilisation of equipment to the site is expected to commence on 6 May 1998, with the arrival, directly from Italy, of the first shipment of equipment to Mgarr Harbour. This will be followed by two other shipments on 16 and 26 May, allowing enough time for installation and testing before drilling commences in early June.

Minister Mizzi described the project as another milestone in the Government's exploration campaign, the ultimate challenge being to find oil in the shortest possible time.