Noxal oil field

Noxal is a deep underwater oil field in the Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico that was once believed to contain up to 10 billion barrels (1.6 billion cubic metres) of crude oil. Further drilling has revealed a modest 245 billion cubic feet (6.9 billion cubic metres) a modest natural gas find. The region is still expected to contain 10 billion barrels (1.6 billion cubic metres) of oil and natural gas equivalent. The field lies 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) below the sea bottom, which is itself 930 metres (3,050 ft) below sea surface, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) off the coast of Veracruz state.^[1]

Theory of Origin

The Noxal Oil field is located just off the Veracruz Coast in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a little over half a mile underwater and an even further 2.5 miles deep underground. This finding is important because it shows there can be oil underneath the bedrock. According to the abiotic theory, Earth created these oils in the Gulf from inorganic materials, not from fossil fuels. It is believed that hydrocarbons in the mantle found a way to the bedrock through cracks, caused by a comet dating back to the Mesozoic era, which created sedimentary layers at the surface. The Noxal Oil Field is just one of many oil fields that exists in the Gulf and has been explored. ^[2]

The Noxal Oil Field located off the Veracruz Coast

Research

In December of 2005, the quest to drill into the Gulf began with the intent to replace the dwindling supply of oil from the Cantarell field. Pemex, a Mexican petroleum company, began their first deepwater research and discovered Noxal and Lakach. Noxal, located in the Catemaco Folded Belt, was the first ever deepwater oil well found by Pemex. The news about this discovery went public in 2006. When tests were conducted at four different intervals, they confirmed the well was indeed filled with natural gas, containing 10 billion barrels of oil. After the success of the Noxal oil field, Pemex drilled into the second oil field it discovered, Lakach. Noxal and Lakach are just a few of many oil fields that have been discovered and ready to be drilled into so Pemex can bring these gases to land. However, at the time of the discovery of both of these oil fields, Pemex encountered issues due to having no knowledge or experience with deepwater drilling. Pemex was also not allowed to have outside help due to the nationalization of oil reserves in Mexico. This was one of the reasons for the country’s decline in the production of oil in the first place. ^{[3] [4]}

Benefits

The discovery of the Noxal Oil Field has plenty of benefits for the future of Mexico. This discovery will not only give Mexico more financial stability but it will provide them with plenty of oil. It would be tough for Mexico to survive without its natural resources, where oil is one of the most important. The United States also relies on Mexico for their supply of oil. With the discovery of Noxal Oil Field, Mexico will be able to provide more oil to the United States and bring more money into their country. This new oil field will also be able to provide more jobs for Mexicans.

References

^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

External links

• Mexico discovers 'huge' oil field BBC News, March 15, 2006.

1. ↑ http://humanevents.com/2006/03/17/mexico-discovers-giant-oil-field-in-gulf/
2. ↑ http://www.ri.pemex.com/files/dcf/Chapter4j.pdf
3. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=7gpuruZKxcYC&pg=PA190&lpg=PA190&dq=noxal+field&source=bl&ots=XCqmCEZfXr&sig=jMk-1ABj2g02u-Hj-wlnUVLj9B4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1_bubj6zTAhVrqlQKHTK7APsQ6AEIMDAC#v=onepage&q=noxal%20field&f=false
4. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=09nncWQ1jyIC&pg=PA71&lpg=PA71&dq=noxal+field&source=bl&ots=BLUxY6X59A&sig=7fgJqeiBHvFUVdHOEe25X07p3SE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitl7-LkazTAhVJ6WMKHaMmDhkQ6AEIUjAI#v=onepage&q=noxal%20field&f=false