For those interested in offshore drilling in Belize... Touchstone has commenced drilling an offshore well today in Trinidad, according to Rigzone news:
"On September 27th, 2011 Touchstone spudded its first Offshore Exploration well in Trinidad. Operated by Sinopec International Petroleum Corporation's subsidiary SOOGL Antilles (Trinidad) Ltd., the well is being drilled in the East Brighton Sub-Area B using the Rowan Gorilla III jackup drilling rig. SOOGL East Brighton SE-1 is currently drilling ahead with a planned total depth of approximately 7,000 feet. Targeting light oil in the Nariva Formation the well has an anticipated drilling and completion time of 62 days. Touchstone has a 24.5% Working Interest in the well and the Corporation will be carried for all well costs through abandonment or testing."
They also report that the US has demanded to inspect the offshore Repsol rig to be used to drill the xpected elephnat off of Cuba.
So Belize can stand by and watch all their neighbors drill for oil offshore, or they can use this time to study the issue and compose a set of responsible offshore drilling regulations that balance the economic needs of Belize with its awesome environmental responbibility.
