Vancouver Island
Background
Limited drilling without commercial success has been conducted within the onshore regions of the Georgia Basin, both on eastern Vancouver Island and in the Fraser Valley. Of the 56 wells drilled since the turn of the century, only 16 have reached depths in excess of 1,000 metres; therefore, most of the basin's potential remains unevaluated. Recent assessment by the Geological Survey of Canada has estimated that as much as 185 billion m
3 (6.5 Tcf) of in-place natural gas exists in three conceptual play types within the confines of the Georgia Basin. Available geochemical information indicates there is little potential for oil. However, Vancouver Island contains an estimated 1.1 Tcf of CBG and in early 2002, the first coalbed gas-targeted well began drilling in the Comox area. In addition, several other proponents are currently evaluating similar CBG exploration programs.
