Scientists on board their vessel GeoArctic, which arrived here on Friday, are due to start work on the Mahe Plateau and cover 17,000 kilometres of our exclusive economic zone, sailing to the Amirantes.

They plan to carry out seismic studies using sound from an air gun and an eight-kilometre sensor line that will be suspended about 11 metres below the sea surface.

They will work for between three and six months under tight security, directed by risk consultants Drum Cussac, who will be helped by 20 armed Seychelles Special Support Unit troops to ensure their safety from pirates.

The Seychellois security team will be headed by Superintendent James Matombe.

Fugro-Geoteam’s business development manager Jodie Gillespie gave a presentation at the Seychelles Petroleum Company (Sepec) on Friday, saying their operations are environmentally friendly, though fishermen and other boat owners will be advised to stay at least two kilometres from the operation area because of the sound from the air guns.

They are also advised not to cross the sensor line, which will be at great tension and could capsize a boat that comes into contact with it.

Boat owners are asked to ensure their radios are on at all times, and to respond should the need arise to communicate with them when they are near the area of operation.

Among others at the presentation were Seychelles Coast Guard officers, staff from the Seychelles Fishing Authority, police officers, members of the European Union’s naval force and Sepec staff.

The company’s officials said it gives a service from the exploration phase through to production and development, and recovers its costs by licensing oil exploration companies to use the information.

However, Seychelles will get all the information the company gathers free of charge.