Russia’s second largest oil producer Lukoil has started a 2D seismic survey of its majority owned block 10 in Southern Iraq.
The 2000km test, due to be completed within 16 months, is part of a five year mandatory geologic exploration programme for the block.
The project, which allows for a two-year extension, also includes the drilling of one exploration well in that period.
The firm has won the 25 year service contract for the block, located 120 km to the west of Basra, in the June 2012 licencing round.
The Russian giant is the operator with a 60% interest, with Japan’s Inpex owning the remaining 40%.
Lukoil started production from its other Iraqi field – the West Qurna-2 – only two weeks earlier at the target production level of 120,000 barrels per day.
Considered one of the largest oilfields in the world, West Qurna-2 holds an estimated 35billion barrels of geological reserves and is expected to produce for nearly