Peru shout: the country is aiming to become energy self-sufficient
Petro Tech find boosts Peru hopes
Peruvian energy company Petro Tech has found a new oilfield with estimated reserves of 1.13 billion barrels, a sizable discovery for Peru, which is trying to become energy self-sufficient, provincial governor Yehude Simon said.
The reserve was found in Lot Z-6 of northern Peru, near Piura and Lambayeque, Simon, the president of Lambayeque province, said.
"It's 1.13 billion barrels of high quality," Simon said after speaking with Petro Tech companies. He said production could begin in 2010.
Petro Tech's exploration chief, Enrique Gonzalez, told state news agency Andina that the company would start developing the reserve late next year.
Peru, a net oil importer that hopes to become a net exporter in 2010, produced 41.6 million barrels of crude oil last year.