Malaysian company Petronas, together with surveying company CGG, has commenced a new multi-client 2D seismic survey in the northern area of the Straits of Melaka in Malaysia's Langkasuka Basin.

The Selat Melaka seismic programme, which is due to be concluded in late December 2023, focuses on exploring and mapping potential hydrocarbon resources in the open blocks of PM320 and PM321.

Covering an area of more than 38,000km², the survey aims to acquire around 8,000km of new 2D seismic data.

The Malaysian company said the work will provide superior-quality seismic data for mapping pre-Tertiary targets.

Petronas Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM) senior vice-president Mohamed Firouz Asnan said: “Petronas continues to invest in data enrichment for Malaysian basins, like the emerging Langkasuka Basin. Initiatives such as this multi-client seismic survey is expected to attract exploration interests to support the country’s production growth strategy.”

Petronas expects the survey to increase the availability of a larger pool of seismic data. This would result in a higher probability of identifying hydrocarbon potential and attract prospective investors.

Petronas MPM resource exploration senior general manager Azmir Zamri said: “Our recent study of the Langkasuka Basin indicates hydrocarbon potential in the untested deeper pre-Tertiary formation, which prompted for this seismic survey to be conducted.

“The first exploration probe is expected in the next three years to test this exciting new geological play.”