The National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) has entered into an agreement with an Australian company to prospect for petroleum along the country's shoreline. The company, Woodside Energy Limited will conduct seismic off shore survey between Mombasa and Lamu for 16 to 18 months starting Friday. Woodside Energy general manager , General Grant said the seismic Survey Vessel RV Polar Duke is expected to call at the Mombasa port today from Singapore where it was conducting a similar exercise. He was speaking when he called on the Coast Provincial Commissioner to explain his company's mission accompanied by a senior NOCK geologist Mr. Philip Sigilai. Mr. Grant said the exercise does not have any environmental implications but his company had incorporated National Environmental Management Authority personnel aboard the vessel throughout the exercise. He clarified that an environmental impact assessment would only be necessary if oil is found and drilling starts whether off- or on-shore.