The Rosneft oil company has begun seismic, magnetic and gravity prospecting in the Zapadno-Matveyevsky and Medynsko-Varandeysky fields in the southeastern part of the Barents Sea continental shelf.

"The aim of the prospecting work is to gather details on the structure and conduct a comprehensive geological survey of prospective oil and gas formations in Zapadno-Matveyevsky. The scope of work is planned to cover 800 sq km of seismic 3D surveys along with magnetic and gravity prospecting," the company said in a statement.

The seismic survey is being carried out by the Akademik Nemchinov research vessel, and magnetic and gravity prospecting will be conducted by the Yevgeny Yegorov ship.

The survey and prospecting work is expected to run until late October.