Melbana Energy has awarded Polarcus the contract to undertake a 3D seismic survey over the Beehive Prospect, which is one of the largest undrilled hydrocarbon structures in Australia.
The Beehive 3D Seismic Survey is being operated by Australian energy company Santos pursuant to an operations services agreement and is fully funded by French major Total and Santos.
Melbana Energy said the Beehive 3D survey is expected to be commenced in July and completed before the end of August 2018.
“The survey is a typical 3D survey using methods and procedures similar to others conducted in Australian waters,” the company said.
“The survey acquisition area is approximately 600 km2 with a larger operational area around it to allow for vessel turns and testing of equipment. The operational area is located in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, approximately 225 km west-southwest from Darwin.”
If Total and/or Santos exercises options to drill, Melbana retains 20% and is fully carried for the first exploration well drilled in WA-488-P
Melbana Energy added: “The acquisition of a new 3D seismic survey over Beehive will provide potential for further de-risking of the prospect and will facilitate consideration of a preferred location for the Beehive-1 exploration well.”
Melbana’s CEO, Robert Zammit, commented on the announcement: “We are pleased that Polarcus has been awarded the contract to acquire the Beehive 3D Seismic and look forward to completion of the survey and reviewing the new information the 3D Survey will provide.”
Polarcus announced that it had also received an award for an XArray 3D marine seismic acquisition project in North West Europe.
The Dubai-based company said the project duration would be for two months and is expected to begin in July.
The project duration is for up to 10 vessel months and would provide backlog for two vessels through the fourth quarter of this year and into the first quarter of 2019, Polarcus said.
As is custom, Polarcus did not name the client, the vessels that would be involved in the project or any other information regarding the operation.
Last month Polarcus was awarded an XArray 3D marine seismic acquisition project in the Asia Pacific region.
Last week the company announced the appointment of Lars Oestergaard as chief operating officer and to lead its geophysical, operations and sales teams.
Mr Oestergaard previously held a number of operational and commercial roles at Maersk Drilling, most recently as Chief Commercial Officer.
Under the company’s long-term incentive plan, Mr Oestergaard has been awarded 350,000 performance share units and 150,000 restricted shares.
