State-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) said on July 19 it had awarded contracts worth 5.88 billion dirhams (US$1.6 billion) to an affiliate of China National Petroleum Co. (CNPC) to conduct the world’s largest 3-D onshore and offshore seismic survey.

The contract was awarded to CNPC subsidiary BGP Inc.

The survey will cover an area up to 53,000 sq km (20,463 sq miles), ADNOC said in a statement.

“The company continues to identify and unlock new opportunities and maximize value from its hydrocarbon resources and deliver on its 2030 smart growth strategy,” ADNOC said.