The $US35 million ($A38 million) program, to be undertaken by E.NA.GEO (Entreprise Nationale de Géophysique), would initially see 4200km of seismic shot and then supplemented with 1800km of infill seismic lines to define future drilling prospects.

“Planning of the supplementary program will make use of the interpretation of the present seismic survey as well as information from the recently acquired airborne surveys and take advantage of achival seismic information held by the company,” Baraka said.

The survey represents the third stage of an ongoing works program within Baraka's five Taoudeni Basin blocks, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9, covering 193,200 square kilometres extending east from the border with Mauritania.

Together with the completed magnetic, radiometric and gravity surveys, the seismic will help the JV to better define the basin structures in these blocks.

In November, Baraka farmed out a 50% interest and operatorship of these blocks to Eni S.P.A. and a 25% interest to Sonatrach International Petroleum Exploration and Production BVI (SIPEX).

Baraka will be carried for part of the seismic program expenditure, after it farmed-out a 50% interest and operatorship of these blocks to Eni SPA, as well as a 25% stake to Sonatrach, last November.