Irish based oil and gas exploration company Providence Resources says it is to commence a site survey operation at Spanish Point, off the Clare coast.
The Spanish Point site is in the Main Porcupine Basin off the west coast.
The exploration and production company says it is part of preparations for the drilling of an appraisal well in 2013.
The operations are expected to finish in early September.
It is all part of the largest drilling campaign ever carried out offshore Ireland.