The Geowave Champion seismic vessel has completed its clearances and is on location preparing to acquire the Maura seismic program.

Data from this survey will be combined with existing 3D seismic surveys to provide 3D seismic coverage over more than 90% of the block.

The data is expected to be processed by the end of 2008 and interpretation of the data over the entire block should be completed by the end of March 2009.

Locations for exploration wells will then be selected for drilling starting in mid 2009.

Oilex is also negotiating with suppliers of offshore drilling equipment to secure a suitable semisubmersible drilling unit to drill two wells in the drilling program's first phase.

This will be followed by further drilling activity later in the year.

The equal partners in JPDA 06-103 are operator Oilex, Videocon, Bharat Petroleum and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation.