Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation and Inpex said that they have commenced a joint study on technology relating to shale gas development in the Horn River, Liard and Cordova areas in the province of British Columbia, Canada.
The project is being carried out with Inpex Gas British Columbia and Nexen Energy, a CNOOC unit.
In March 2015, the four companies entered into a joint study agreement to evaluate geological characteristics of the areas, by analyzing properties of rock samples extracted from shale reservoirs marked for development, companies said in a statement.
Integrated interpretation of the geological characteristics to be obtained through the joint study will leverage JOGMEC’s and Inpex’s technological capabilities in rock analysis. The data obtained from the shale gas development and production operations undertaken by Nexen and IGBC within the areas will help optimize and streamline the development of shale gas reservoirs in the areas.
The selection of rock samples to be analyzed in the joint study has already been completed, and the four companies began analyzing the rock samples in July of this year. The joint study is expected to continue for a period of approximately one year, during which time a detailed analysis of the rock samples and evaluation of geological characteristics will be carried out.
Nexen and IGBC will meanwhile proceed with shale gas development and production operations in the areas.
JOGMEC provides financial support for the project through IGBC.