The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, in February 2020, provided an update to the offshore exploration licences covering the Carlisle Bay and Bimshire blocks, offshore Barbados, which have been awarded to to BHP Petroleum. "While the Government of Barbados is aggressively pursuing renewable and alternative energy initiatives, it also recognizes the importance of diversifying the island's energy portfolio to include offshore oil and gas development", Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Wilfred Abrahams, said. "With prudent management, Barbados' offshore oil and gas sector can offer significant opportunities for the Barbadian people, not only in terms of revenue generation but also in relation to institutional strengthening, capacity building, job creation and technological advancement. This has been a long time in coming, and the Government is eager for BHP to get started".BHP will commence the first three-year licence phase, which includes conducting 2D seismic surveys on the two exploration blocks. Depending on those results, BHP may enter an optional second phase of three years to perform 3D seismic surveys and other geological studies, followed by an optional third phase of two years, to drill at least one exploration well in each block."We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Barbados Government as we commence the next phase of our work in Barbadian waters ... this opportunity leverages our offshore exploration expertise, and we are optimistic about our chances of discovering hydrocarbons within these blocks", said BHP Petroleum Vice President of Exploration and Appraisal, Sonia Scarselli.The Carlisle Bay and Bimshire blocks are located between 40km to 140km southeast of Barbados. BHP Billiton on 30 April 2015 signed for the Bimshire and Carlisle Bay deep water exploration licenses, while final EIA was recently completed. The two tracts, which cover areas of approximately 2,500 sq km each, were pre-awarded in January 2009 in the country's first E&P bid round. The blocks are generally located in waters ranging from 1,200m to 2,000m in depth.<P />
BHP has been awarded the Bimshire (2506kmÂ²) and Carlisle Bay (2498kmÂ²) in WD=1200-2000m off SE Barbados offsh. blocks in NE Caribbean Deformed Belt. These had been held by BHP since 2015 so the latest news is possibly a re-award under new or revised terms. 