Apex International Energy has signed $15 million worth of agreements for 3D seismic acquisition services and long-lead well equipment to develop its concessions in Egypt’s Western Desert, Egypt Oil & Gas reported.

The deals include a contract to acquire 1,000 square kilometers of 3D seismic data in the Southeast Meleiha Concession to BGP International Egypt.

Both exploration drilling and seismic acquisition operations are expected to start in Q4 2018, company CEO Roger Plank said.

“We started re-processing existing 3D seismic at West Badr el Din Concession in December 2017 to identify drillable prospects. At Southeast Meleiha Concession we will commence 3D seismic acquisition operations in the fourth quarter. We expect to begin drilling the first of six exploration wells before year end,” Plank added.

Another tender has been awarded to The Weir Group, Soconord S.A., Tenaris Global Services S.A., and Vallourec France for the purchase of wellheads, well casing, and tubing to support the upcoming drilling program.

These developments are part of Apex’s commitment to invest a minimum of $27.4 million during the first exploration phase to perform detailed geological studies, acquire and process 3D seismic, and drill six exploratory wells.

Apex originally acquired the two concessions from the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) in a 2016 bid round.

The company’s concessions are divided into two blocks: one is 4,180 km2 and located in West Badr el Din and the other is 2,535 km2 and is in the South East Meleiha concession.