Melbana Energy Ltd. said on June 8 that Polarcus has been awarded the contract to undertake the Beehive 3-D seismic survey over the Beehive Prospect, which is one of the largest undrilled hydrocarbon structures in Australia.

The Beehive 3-D seismic survey is being operated by Australian energy company Santos pursuant to an operations services agreement and is fully funded by French major Total (NYSE: TOT) and Santos.

The Beehive 3-D survey is expected to be commenced in July and completed before the end of August 2018. The survey is a typical 3-D survey using methods and procedures similar to others conducted in Australian waters.

The survey acquisition area is approximately 600 sq km (231 sq miles) with a larger operational area around it to allow for vessel turns and testing of equipment. The operational area is located in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, approximately 225 km (139 miles) west-southwest from Darwin.

The acquisition of a new 3-D seismic survey over Beehive will provide potential for further de-risking of the prospect and will facilitate consideration of a preferred location for the Beehive-1 exploration well.

“We are pleased that Polarcus has been awarded the contract to acquire the Beehive 3D seismic and look forward to completion of the survey and reviewing the new information the 3D survey will provide,” Robert Zammit, Melbana’s CEO, said.