Due to begin in December, the 500 square kilometre survey will be undertaken by Western Geco using the Western Trident seismic vessel, which is fitted with state-of-the-art solid streamer recording technology.

As part of an earlier deal, BSOC will be fully carried through the survey by farm-in partner Apache Northwest.

Under the agreement signed in May, Apache will become operator and earn a 60% in Vic/P42 by funding the recording and processing of the 3D seismic data, plus the drilling of one exploration well. BSOC and joint venture partner Inpex Alpha will each retain a 20% interest in the permit.

The seismic program will become the first time a 3D survey has been undertaken in the western and northwestern areas of Vic/P42. It is designed to complete continuous coverage between Bass Strait’s 2002 3D survey in the eastern section and Apache’s 2005 3D survey in the neighbouring Vic/P58 permit to the west.

Several leads have been identified on older 2D seismic in the new 3D survey area, including leads analogous to the nearby Dolphin and Perch producing oil fields, according to Bass Strait Oil. The new 3D survey will also cover the 1983 Omeo gas and condensate discovery.

In addition to a 60% interest in Vic/P42, Apache also has interests in four other offshore Gippsland Basin permits, as part of its strategy to diversify outside of the offshore Carnarvon Basin.

The company made its first move into Gippsland two years ago. In March 2004, it farmed-in to Nexus Energy’s permit Vic/P54 and then picked up 100% in each of Vic/P58 in the coastal southwestern sector and Vic/P59 on the southern fringe of the main producing oil fields.

More recently in April, Apache farmed-in to Vic/P45, belonging to Moby Oil & Gas and Exoil.

So far, it has only drilled two wells – Longtom-2 and Grayling-1 in Vic/P54 – both of which encountered gas accumulations. But Apache declined to participate in the recent Longtom-3 well, where Nexus is continuing operations as a sole-risk project.