(WO) — Metatek Group has begun the second phase of a large-scale airborne geophysical survey in Nigeria under a new three-year contract aimed at supporting hydrocarbon exploration across the country.

The U.K.-based geophysical services company will survey an additional 210,000 km², building on the 175,000 km² it has covered since launching the program in 2022. Upon completion, Metatek will have surveyed approximately 385,000 km², representing about 42% of Nigeria's total land area.

The program is being carried out in partnership with Nigerian company Broadlink and the country's national energy industry. Metatek said field operations have now commenced, marking the execution phase of the contract and the start of revenue recognition.

The airborne survey combines enhanced Full Tensor Gravity Gradiometry (eFTG) with scalar gravity, magnetic and LiDAR data to produce high-resolution geological information extending several kilometers below the surface. The integrated dataset is intended to improve geological mapping, identify exploration prospects and support future resource development.

According to the company, data collected during the first phase of the program contributed to the drilling of a successful exploration well by identifying eFTG prospects that were subsequently confirmed through 2D seismic, helping accelerate exploration while reducing the need for additional surveys.

"This programme will provide high-resolution data rapidly across large-scale areas, enabling more accurate geological mapping and strengthening regional exploration capabilities," said Mark Davies, chief executive officer of Metatek. "The survey will provide critical information to support future resource development and investment decisions."

While the primary objective is hydrocarbon exploration, Metatek said the high-resolution geophysical data also has applications in mineral exploration and renewable energy projects.

Survey aircraft operate at altitudes ranging from 100 m to 1,000 m, depending on project requirements, using specialized geophysical instrumentation to map subsurface features over large areas.