Australian energy company WHL Energy Limited says that the largest seismic acquisition survey program ever conducted in the Republic of the Seychelles, comprising of a 19,609km 2D seismic survey (143 lines), has been successfully completed by Fugro Data Services AG ('Fugro') and Geomahakarsa Ltd.

This survey, using the vessel 'Geo Artic', was conducted on a collaborative basis with the Republic of the Seychelles. In total WHL Energy commissioned 7,887km of 2D Seismic acquisition (of the total) over 16 leads found within its large Seychelles holdings. Initially WHL Energy had only intended to acquire 7,000km of 2D seismic, however as announced on 18 April 2011, the Board commissioned the acquisition of further 887km based on the positive results following the initial seismic data review and an Independent Expert Report from Isis Petroleum Consultants Pty Ltd ('Isis').

Isis' studies have confirmed the potential of 12 leads across 4 different plays in WHL Energy's Seychelles exploration holdings and estimated that these leads have the potential to contain unrisked mean oil in place of between 166 million barrels and 5.44 billion barrels per lead.

WHL Energy Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Rowbottam, commented: 'With the 2D seismic acquisition campaign over our project area now complete we expect to receive all required data within the coming weeks, at which time interpretation will begin.'

'Interpretation of that highly valuable data will enable the Company to aggressively progress the refinement of key drilling targets for a proposed farm-out in early 2012 ahead of the drilling program targeted for late 2012' Mr Rowbottam said.

Tags: WHL Energy Limited