LONDON (Alliance News) - Bankers Petroleum Ltd, a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration and production company, said that its Albania subsidiary has put its so-called emergency response plan into action due to an "uncontrolled" release of carbon dioxide gas while a well was being drilled.
In a statement, the company said the carbon dioxide release took place "during the drilling of a horizontal well within the Patos-Marinza oilfield, with secondary communication to several nearby shallow wells", which has affected local residents.
Bankers Petroleum said it has "regained surface control of drilling operations, returning most impacted residents to their homes, however, as a precautionary measure continues to maintain a small evacuation area immediately adjacent to the affected well".
Although based in Canada, the oil and gas exploration and production company operates and has the rights to develop the Patos-Marinza
heavy oilfield in Albania.
Bankers Petroleum shares closed down 2.9% at 138.80 pence on Wednesday.
By Samuel Agini; samagini@alliancenews.com; @samuelagini
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