zoomPhoto: Volstad

CGG Oceanic Caspian has started mobilization for a 3D seismic survey over the frontier exploration licence (FEL) 3/04 located in the southern Porcupine Basin offshore Ireland.

The survey will cover around 1,800 km2 and its main objective is to understand the hydrocarbon potential of the undrilled Lower Cretaceous Dunquin South carbonate exploration prospect, Providence Resources explained.

A further objective for the new survey is to assess the nature and hydrocarbon potential of the c. 700 km2 Dunquin Ridge which underlies both Dunquin carbonate build-ups and which was not penetrated by the previous well.

The licence is operated by Eni Ireland (36.913%) on behalf of its partners Repsol Exploracion Irlanda (33.557%), Providence Resources (26.846%) and Sosina Exploration (2.684%).

Dr John O’Sullivan, technical director of Providence said: “The revised Eni analysis of the 2013 44/23-1 Dunquin North well has highlighted material resource potential associated with the Dunquin South exploration prospect. This is evidenced by the significant commitment now being made by the JV partners to underwrite and licence a block-wide 3D seismic survey over both the Dunquin North and Dunquin South carbonate build-ups. We hope that the results of this survey will improve our understanding of the acreage and lead to further drilling in the future.”