Coalbed gas fuels drilling zeal

By Jeff Rud

Times Colonist (Victoria) 27 July 2001

Vancouver Island could become a significant player on a new energy ``frontier'' for Canada, with potentially hundreds of wells springing up to extract methane from coalbeds that stretch from Nanaimo to Campbell River.

A Vancouver Island-based company is already test-drilling coalbeds just north of Courtenay and the province reports ``unprecedented'' interest by other companies in evaluating Island coal fields.

Neil Swift, the president of Priority Ventures Ltd., said his company is so encouraged by early test-drilling results that it plans to apply for methane gas well authorization for the area.    more . . .  

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HIGH HOPES FOR COALBED METHANE

By Alex Hamilton

Comox Valley Record July 17, 2001

Coalbed methane may be coming to a furnace or stove near you. Three exploration companies are currently interested in drilling for coalbed methane in the Comox Valley. Neil Swift, President of a local company Priority Ventures, said he started test drilling last week for coal and CBM on private properties in the 3900 block of Piercy and Condensory road. Swift said there's plenty of coal in the area, which not only means CBM could become an inexpensive local energy source, but also could boost the economy.   more . . .  

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Dove Creek residents patient, 
open-minded on coal, gas drilling

By Jim Amos, Echo Staff
July 3, 2001

         Dove Creek residents appear to giving methane gas exploration companies the benefit of the doubt .... for now.  While they still have lots of questions , the residents - who for the first time last Thursday met face - to - face with company officials -- are expressing cautious optimism that things will be done right and with full community involvement.   " I feel they are being pretty honest " Susan Holventot said , " I'm mostly feeling glad the process is as open as it is ."

        On Thursday , about 50 Dove Creek residents met with officials from Priority Ventures and VWVulcan , the two most visible players in the coalbed methane ( CBM ) proposals . That meeting followed a residents - only one a week earlier.  

        Priority is a Courtenay - based company that is looking at both the coal and methane potential on about 7,000 acres in the Dove Creek area.  It has permission to sink 3 test holes and could start work as early as Thursday.  " I prepared myself myself , emotionally , to hear frightening and radical opinions , " president Neal Swift said after the meeting .  The receptive audience left Swift with the feeling that the company " is innocent until proven guilty .  It seems they are saying " Let's see how you do. "   more . . .

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Drilling may start Thursday

By Jim Amos, Echo Staff  
July 3, 2001

        Dove Creek residents may find out this week exactly what to expect from proposals to extract methane gas from regional coalbeds.  Priority Ventures could begin sinking a test hole on Thursday , one of three it has planned for the area.  The Ministry of Mines has issued a permit and is just waiting for Priority to post a reclamation bond, company president Neal Swift said Friday. " We have the water well driller ready. "  more . . .  

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METHANE COMPANIES WILL WALK AWAY IF 
IT MEANS GOING TO "WAR" WITH RESIDENTS

By Jim Amos, Echo Staff 
Comox Valley Echo, June 1, 2001

Exploration companies say they will walk away from plans to extract methane gas from regional coalbeds if going ahead means going to "war" with the community. "If we have to fight a war, we are not going to do it, "Spiro Vassilopoulos, a principal with VWVulcan Energy of Canada, told the regional district board Tuesday.

Saying his Texas - based company is taking a "no surprise" approach, Vassilopoulos committed to holding a public information session to let the community know exactly what is involved with drilling for coalbed methane (CBM) VWVulcan has drilling rights to about 90,000 acres of land owned by Weldwood , is in negotiations with Quinsam Coal on a joint project, and also is negotiating additional rights with private property owners.  

Depending on test results , it envisions anywhere from 80 to 600 wells drilled over a five to six year period.  Under the most ideal conditions, VWVulcan would be producing 80 million cubic feet a day of methane by 2010.  "We think we could meet the Island's needs, "Vassilopoulos said, noting B.C. Hydro has indicated it will buy VWVulcan's production for use on the Island.     more . . .

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Methane Heats Up
COALBED METHANE OFFERS A SOLUTION
TO ISLAND ENERGY NEEDS. 

BUT  AT  WHAT  PRICE ?

 by Andrew Findlay
Monday Magazine,  April 27 , 2001

         Burns Marsh is a thriving wetland, home to beavers, bald eagles and dozens of different species of waterfowl. As many as 700 trumpeter swans,

one percent of the world's population of such birds, has been counted at one time in the marsh.  It's a big reason Bryan Allen chose to settle here, near Dove Creek in the Comox Valley.

        But deep in the ground below this ecological gem lies a potential bonanza, methane, the principle component of natural gas, trapped within the coalseams that fueled the economy of Vancouver Island 100 years ago.  Imagine hundreds of gas wellheads dotting the landscape between Campbell River and Nanaimo.  Sound far fetched?  Think again. It could start becoming a reality as early as this summer.

        The threat of methane gas explosions that once put fear in the hearts of coal miners, today has speculators buzzing.  With natural gas prices soaring, development of the Island's estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion cubic feet of coalbed methane is being seriously examined by gas companies and enthusiastically promoted by B.C. government.  Conservative estimates by the provincial ministry of energy and mines suggest that local coalbed methane could satisfy the Island's natural gas needs for the next 25 years.  . . . more

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