The development stages:Seismic/2012-10.Operated by BG Group, the offshore block 8 covers an area of 2,230 square kilometers and is located in the Punta del Este basin. The block was granted in the Uruguay round II tender, with the commitment to carry out the following works: 2,300 square kilometers of 3D seismic, 2,230 square kilometers of 3D electromagnetic, 20 samples of sea bed and seismic data processing. In November 2012, the company started the first exploration phase which will last between 5 and 9 months. A second phase, scheduled for January 2014, will complete the acquisition of seismic data. The company expects to drill the first well by 2013. The program will require an investment of US$118.6mn.