InfraStrata plc report that subject to final contract, Tesla- IMC International Limited (Tesla-IMC) will be undertaking the 2011 seismic programme in Licence PL1/10 in Northern Ireland.

Tesla-IMC will acquire approximately 250 line kilometres of 2D Vibroseis data over the central part of the Larne-Lough Neagh Basin. The survey will target a very large undrilled intra-basinal high feature in the centre of the basin.

The sedimentary section is over 4,000 metres thick in the most deeply buried parts of the basin within Licence PL1/10. The primary reservoir target is the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone, the reservoir in the giant Morecambe Bay gasfield in the East Irish Sea Basin. The regional seal is the Mercia Mudstone Formation. Secondary targets are sandstone reservoirs within the Permian and Carboniferous sequences. Gas has been encountered in Carboniferous sandstones in southwest Northern Ireland. Shales and coals within the Carboniferous sequence, potential sources of oil and gas, have been encountered in wells drilled on the margins of the Larne-Lough Neagh Basin for coal exploration.

It is anticipated that the seismic will be acquired between August and October.

Commenting on the appointment, Andrew Hindle, CEO of InfraStrata plc said,"We are pleased to be working with Tesla-IMC on this exciting venture. Tesla-IMC has experience acquiring data in Northern Ireland, including the 2007 3D survey in the Larne Lough area for InfraStrata on behalf of Islandmagee Storage Limited.

Initial processing of the seismic data will be undertaken as the data is acquired. It is therefore anticipated that early mapping of prospects will be available in Q4 2011. It is hoped that this will lead to drilling of an exploration well during 2012."

Tags: InfraStrata