OREANDA-NEWS. The Belarusian company Belorusneft has successfully completed the first stage of a major seismic survey project in Ecuador, the company's press service told.

The seismic survey of so-called block No. 31 was the idea. The step included the full range of studies ranging from field work to the digital processing of the data acquired from an area of 688km2. Results of the seismic survey have been handed over to the Ecuadorian state-run company Petroamazonas for interpretation. Yet at this stage there are reasons to believe that the data will be fundamental for determining promising areas for the consequent search for hydrocarbons.

The contract signed by Belorusneft and Petroamazonas envisages seismic surveys of the total area of 1,500km2 in three blocks. Belorusneft specialists are ready to start the final processing of the collected field data. Preparations for test procedures to determine parameters of the digital processing phase are underway.

The Belorusneft branch was registered in Ecuador in late 2012. The first contract for 3D seismic surveys on an area of 1,500km2 was signed in 2013. Preparations for implementing a larger project are underway: in 2015 the company intends to carry out 3D seismic surveys on an area of 2,000km2 in Ecuador's east. The move will allow taking nearly 50% of the market of this kind of services in Ecuador. The Belorusneft branch employs about 30 highly qualified engineers and technicians. The fact that only about 170km2 is processed in Belarus every year with a view to finding new oil fields testifies to the scale of the current and future endeavors of the company in Ecuador.

The Belarusian industrial group Belorusneft was founded in 1966. The company specializes in the surveying, prospecting and development of oil fields, well drilling, oil and associated petroleum gas extraction in Belarus and a number of other countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Ecuador.