PTTEP Plans New Seismic Survey in Oman's Block 44

PTTEP Oman, subsidiary of Thailand PTTEP Group, plans to kick off a new round of 3D seismic acquisition within Block 44 in its concession in the west of the Sultanate.

The survey will cover around 500 square kilometres in the western part of the concession targeting a new play believed to have a high hydrocarbon potential, Oman Observer reported.

The initiative, combined with plans for a number of intensive subsurface studies, will precede a major drilling campaign envisaged in the coming years as the operator strives to shore up hydrocarbon output from declining fields within the block, the report said.

PTTEP Oman, which acquired the concession in 2002, has of late ramped up development activities aimed at bolstering oil and gas production from the contract area within the block.

The Thai firm is the operator of the 1,162 sq km Block 44 with a 100 per cent interest. In April 2010, the company relinquished its licence for Block 58 in the southwest of the country after fulfilling its exploration work commitment.