Irish gas and oil exploration firm Providence Resources has awarded a 3D seismic survey contract to Polarus.

The survey is part of the planned pre-development drilling programme on the Barryroe oil discovery in the south-western end of the Celtic Sea.

The Dublin and London listed group said the survey, which is expected to begin in June, will take 15 days to complete.

The survey is to be used to plan a pre-development drilling programme designed to progress Barryroe to first oil.

The Barryroe well is slated to be the first well in Providence's schedule of Irish drilling over the next two years.

Providence has a 50 per cent stake in the prospect, with partners San Leon Energy and Lansdowne Oil & Gas owing a 30 per cent and 20 per cent stake respectively.