24-Oct-2010 -- A large 3D seismic program has been well under way to the East of the city of Dihōk, north Kurdistan. Mapping and Cartography is a daily part of our work to monitor progress of seismic data acquisition, location of mine fields and UXO detected by dedicated mine clearance teams, and finally to resolve any permitting issue while working close to urban areas or farmlands.

DCP 37N 43E has been in my sight for a few months now having seen its spatial location in our GIS and high resolution satellite imagery. The point is located approximately 32 kilometres from base camp and I was determined to visit the point prior to completion of the project and introduce the science of DCP to new friends.

Although Kurdistan is one of the friendliest countries I have visited and had the experience to work in to date, we still require armed security to travel around the periphery of the prospect. However, no threat was ever experienced apart from unmapped mines laid out by the previous regime. This country has been at war for decades and the population have suffered tremendously in the past. It is now considered as a free state with a fast rising economy and pretty soon a booming oil industry.

The topography in north Kurdistan is spectacular indeed with a range of mountains in excess of 1200 m above sea level. Mountain slopes are covered in dense vegetation and in the valleys between the mountain ranges one finds fertile farmland.

On the morning of 24 October, a team made up of Gerri Smith (Mando Security Manager), Ray Griffiths (TerraSeis Training Coordinator), our driver Ramadan, and myself departed base camp to locate the point north of Dihōk city.

Black top roads were used to commute approximately 3 kilometres away from the location followed by traversing well used tracks until arriving to a dead end close to a fruit tree farm. A fresh water spring ran across the tree farm and a crossing point is located close to an irrigation pipe perpendicular to the stream. Once over the stream the point was easily found by walking 50 m uphill to the North in an open area.

A quick hand shake and congratulating the team on their first confluence point ended our trip and we returned back to base camp ready for the next adventure.

Well done guys... hope you enjoyed the scenery and experience.