In a statement today, Otto said the campaign would provide further data over the Urun prospect – estimated to contain 10 billion cubic feet of gas-in-place – as well as initiate wider exploration in the periphery of the licence, which to date has very little seismic coverage.

Tendering is also underway for a 149 square kilometre 3D seismic survey, due to begin in the next three months, over what is considered to be the most prospective area of the permit, including three gas discoveries made by the joint venture in 2005-06.

This will be followed by an extensive Gore (surface geochemical) survey to help evaluate some of the prospects.

Otto said the Gore technology detects elevated gas readings in surface soil samples, indicating the possible presence of hydrocarbons gradually seeping from subsurface accumulations. In combination with seismic data, it assists with prospect ranking.

Otto chief executive Alex Parkes said the 2D and 3D seismic and geochemical programs would hopefully identify and mature a number of targets for drilling to start towards the end of this year.

“Our drilling results to date have demonstrated with some confidence that the presence of gas can be predicted from the combination of seismic amplitude and geochem anomalies,” he said.