The company yesterday said the 3D survey, totalling 640 square kilometres, provided coverage over the Coron North target, the Coron-1 structure, as well as significant 3D coverage over the Princesa turbidite play.

“Initial impressions are that the data quality is very good due to stringent technical quality control throughout the acquisition,” Nido said.

Processing of the data covering the 640sq.km survey area will begin over the next week, with the initial 3D volume expected to be delivery and ready for interpretation before the end of this month.

Following this, evaluation of this initial 3D volume will start immediately, providing “the first critical insights into building a risked and ranked high-graded prospect inventory in SC 54”, Nido said.

The SC 54 joint venture plans to acquire an additional 180sq.km of 3D in second quarter 2007 to further evaluate the Pagasa turbidite play fairway, Nido said.

This additional survey area will be acquired by mid-2007 by Veritas Geophysical under the same contractual agreement.