The program, which comprises a combined total of more than 5000km of 2D and 846 square kilometres of 3D seismic data, will be the largest ever undertaken by the company and follows on from two 2006 seismic programs.

The 100- to 120-day combined program will focus on three permits and will involve two CGGVeritas seismic vessels, the Pacific Titan (in SC 54 and SC 58) and the Pacific Sword (in SC 63), according to Nido head of exploration Jon Pattillo.

“The 2007 seismic program is multi-faceted, with SC 54 and SC 58 focused on delivering a drilling portfolio through 3D acquisition over five high-graded areas,” Patillo said.

“In SC 63 the objective is to accelerate the 2D seismic program in order to bring this large block to a level of maturity similar to SC 54 and SC 58 as quickly as possible.

“On completion of our 2007 program and within the space of about 12 months, Nido will have covered the majority of its exploration acreage with an extensive grid of high quality 3D and 2D seismic data on which to build the prospect and lead portfolio.”

In SC 58, Nido and partner PNOC-Exploration Corporation will acquire 661sq.km of 3D seismic over four areas aimed at delivering a portfolio of fully de-risked and mature drilling candidates by the second quarter of next year.

In addition to the 3D seismic program, Nido plans to also acquire about 1600km of 2D seismic within SC 58 to develop additional potential recognised in the block by the Talusi subsurface interpretation.

In SC 54, following the preliminary interpretation of last years, Abukay 3D seismic Nido and joint venture partner Kairiki Energy Limited (formerly Yilgarn Gold) will extend the 640sq.km Abukay 3D seismic survey westward by a further 165sq.km to ensure full coverage of the Princesa Lead and Late Miocene Pagasa Turbidite play fairway in this sector of the permit.

Nido and Kairiki also plan to acquire about 454km of new 2D seismic over the less-explored southern sector of SC 54 together with the adjacent SC 58 2D seismic program.

In SC 63, Nido and operator PNOC-EC will acquire 3165km of 2D seismic data, to provide a regional platform to high-grade areas for further 2D and or 3D seismic in 2008.

The survey will also include a closely spaced 2D grid around the Aboabo-1 well drilled in 1980 by Phillips Petroleum which is reported to have flowed gas at rates at about 50 million cubic feet per day.

Nido said the SC 54 3D seismic survey should begin today and run for 20 days, subject to weather.

The SC 58 2D and 3D program would follow in late October with operations extending into January 2008.

The SC 63 survey is expected to start in mid October and extend through to December.