Largest Call for N.S. Onshore Exploration

The Nova Scotia Petroleum Directorate has issued a call for industry bids to explore 900,000 hectares, the largest such call in the history of onshore oil and gas exploration in the province.

The land offering comprises four exploration blocks -- one on mainland Nova Scotia and the others in Cape Breton. The lands are being offered at industry's request and reflect the high level of interest by oil and gas companies in pursuing petroleum opportunities onshore Nova Scotia.

The call for bids will be open for 90 days. Exploration licences will be for three years, during which time one or more wells must be drilled.

Interest in Nova Scotia's onshore remains high. Industry currently holds production and exploration agreements for oil and natural gas, as well as coal-bed methane, on 13 onshore parcels throughout the province. Earlier this month, Hunt Oil began drilling the first petroleum well drilled in the province in more than a decade.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A map detailing the land parcels offered is available by contacting Communications Nova Scotia at [email protected] or 902-424-4492.