Liberia Begins Oil Exploration
Oil exploration off the Liberian coast has begun in earnest by the Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. The process which took off on Friday, August 12, was witnessed by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Other officials at the official launch were the President and CEO of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Mr. Christopher Neyor; as well as NOCAL’s Chairman, Mr. Clemenceau Urey. They were taken on a guided tour of the facilities by Anadarko’s Country Director, Mr. Bernie Sanger.
An Executive Mansion release says during the tour, the Liberian leader was introduced to the staff of Anadarko, which also includes Liberians. Impressed by the facilities, the President expressed satisfaction that Anadarko had begun oil exploration and wished the company success in its venture.
Anadarko, which is operating off the coast of Montserrado County, began exploration on July 25th. The oil company is engaged in one of two explorations being conducted simultaneously off Liberia’s coast.
Another company, African Petroleum, began a similar exercise a week after Anadarko, operating 30 miles off the coast of Grand Bassa and River Cess Counties. Anadarko Petroleum Corporation recently finalized plans for its 2011 drilling operations in the Liberian basin of West Africa. Two wells will be drilled off eastern Sierra Leone and one off western Liberia.
