Australian independent FAR Ltd. finished data acquisition of its 3-D seismic survey over its frontier acreage offshore east Africa’s Kenya.

FAR’s L6 permit is located in the Lamu basin, with the company saying a preliminary review of the survey data indicates the processed products will be of very good quality. The data will now be processed and interpreted, with results expected to be available early in the 1Q of 2013. The 778 sq km (300 sq miles) survey commenced mid-June and was completed within the expected timeframe.

The L6 permit is operated by FAR with a 60% stake, with its partner being fellow Aussie outfit Pancontinental Oil & Gas with 40%. FAR also has a 30% interest in the L9 block.

The next well to be drilled in the basin will be the Mbawa prospect in Block L8 by Apache Corp. in August this year. Anadarko Petroleum also announced plans to drill the first of its wells before year-end, while BG is preparing to drill its first well offshore Kenya also by year-end.

FAR expects to drill its first well mid-2013 in Block L6, most likely on the company’s primary Kifaru prospect.
Apache Corp. is due to spud its first deepwater well offshore Kenya in August on the Mbawa prospect. The US independent will operate the probe in the so-far undrilled Block L8, using the Deepsea Metro 1 drillship to drill the well in a program expected to take around 60 days. Another target due for drilling by Apache is the Tai prospect.