Government of Senegal has given green light to Cairn Energy’s plans to conduct an offshore 3D seismic survey and a three well exploration program.

Namely, in May 2015, a forward program was submitted to the Government of Senegal. The firm three well program is currently planned to include two appraisal wells of the SNE-1 discovery which will core and test the reservoir, as well as one shelf exploration well.

Cairn is an operator of three contiguous blocks offshore Senegal (Rufisque Offshore, Sangomar Offshore and Sangomar Deep Offshore) with joint venture partners ConocoPhillips (35%), FAR (15%) and PETROSEN (10%).

The three blocks in which Cairn acquired an interest cover an area of 7,490km2. The western portion of the acreage is covered by a 2,050km2 3D seismic survey and a number of play types, leads and prospects have been identified.

In addition, Cairn has now received an approval for 2,000km2 3D seismic data acquisition campaign over the Sangomar Offshore and Rufisque Offshore blocks to help fully map the prospectivity of the contract area.

According to the company, the 3D seismic acquisition program is expected to start in Q3 2015.

Simon Thomson, Chief Executive, Cairn Energy, said: “We are delighted to have agreement from the Government of Senegal for our extensive evaluation plan which commences shortly with a 3D seismic survey and continues later this year with a multi-well exploration and appraisal programme.”