This year, Cairn should complete analysis of data from other exploration blocks off the west coast of Greenland, and will then seek exploration investment partners.

BBC: Cairn Energy announces its 2013 strategy

The Canadian owned energy company have held the licence for oil and gas exploration in the North West since 2008.

BBC: Ballinlea

The final cut -- winnowed to 185 images for the show and 75 for the award-winning book -- shows the West's myriad faces thematically grouped into Legends, Encounters, Boundaries and Visions, corralling into categories an epic visual record of almost a century and a half of exploration of the American West with the camera.

CNN: Greatest photos of the American West

They are already pioneering exploration in neglected spots such as the seabed off West Africa and in the Arctic.

ECONOMIST: Oil companies: Improving their fieldcraft | The

In contrast to Brazil, where most exploration activity is dominated by the NOC (National Oil Company) Petrobraz, deepwater spending in West African countries such as Angolia, Nigeria and Ghana is dominated by oil majors such as BP, Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Shell.

FORBES: Transocean Pipes To $85 On Brazil, Africa Deepwater Drilling