It comes as Advent Energy is expected to wrap up its search for gas about 30km from Newcastle on Thursday.

The drone footage shows PMG Pride dragging its line through the water while the acoustic pulses being shot into the ocean floor can be seen periodically disturbing the surface of the water.

Read more: Seismic testing off Newcastle coast ‘thin edge of the wedge’

The vessel was expected to cover 200 line kilometres – that is, move the equivalent of 200km within the 12.25 square-kilometre patch of ocean south east of Newcastle – during the four-day test.

According to marine traffic data, PMG Pride is due to return to the Port of Newcastle at 2am today.

Advent Energy holds an 85 per cent lease on the PEP11 exploration area, in which the survey took place.

Read more: Seismic testing approved off Newcastle coast

Goh Hock, chairman of Advent Energy’s parent company MEC Resources, said in a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange this week that the survey was “pursuant to an environment plan accepted by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA)”.

But the operation has attracted opposition from the NSW Greens, the recreational and commercial fishing communities, environmental activists and others concerned about the impact of seismic testing on marine wildlife.

While this week’s testing was a two dimensional survey, MEC Resources has not ruled out returning for a more thorough three dimensional test if the results are promising. 

And it has also indicated its intention to extract gas from under the ocean floor if it finds the resource.