Seismic Vessel Tech News

Norwegian seismic services provider Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) said that key areas for the 2020 Malaysia Licensing Round are covered by the PGS Sabah MC3D program.Data is available to evaluate the petroleum potential of the highly prospective offshore Sabah province, said a press note from the geophysical company.Over 47 000 sq. km high-resolution 3D data is available for Sabah, covering new opportunities near established plays in this exciting hydrocarbon province.Block SB-2T on the 2020 bid round is almost entirely covered by Sabah MC3D. SB-2T lies in the proven fold and thrust belt and is surrounded by producing oil and gas fields.

Seabed Geosolutions, the provider of comprehensive ocean bottom seismic (OBS) solutions to the global oil and gas industry, has signed a contract to sell the entirety of its shallow water ocean bottom cable (OBC) recording equipment.The joint venture between Fugro and CGG said that the equipment was used on a recently completed project for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the United Arab Emirates. The sale fetched around  US$ 10 million.Stephan Midenet, CEO of Seabed Geosolutions said: "The sale of our last cable-based system completes the transformation of Seabed Geosolutions into a pure ocean bottom node (OBN) company."He added: "We are now largely focused around our Manta suite of technologies…

Shearwater GeoServices, a marine geophysical services company, has been awarded the largest-ever 4D seismic campaign in the Asia/Pacific region covering up to six fields operated by Woodside offshore Australia.According to the 50/50 joint venture between GC Rieber Shipping and Rasmussengruppen  AS, the campaign, planned to commence in Q4 2019, covers new 4D acquisition over the Pluto, Brunello, Laverda, Cimatti and Vincent fields with an option for one additional field.The 4D seismic campaign will improve Woodside’s understanding of the fields’ production performance over time and provide data to guide future field developments. This is the second 4D seismic campaign award by Woodside to Shearwater following the baseline 4D program in Senegal earlier this year.“By using Isometrix…

The provider of geophysical marine seismic acquisition and processing services,  Shearwater GeoServices has been given a conditional letter of award for a 2D seismic acquisition and fast-track processing project by Total E&P South Africa B.V.The survey at block 11B-12B will be Shearwater’s first project offshore South Africa, said a press note from the Norwegean Oil and gas exploration service provider.The multi-purpose vessel SW Cook will acquire the initial 3,650-linear km (2,268-mi) program. Starting in 4Q 2019, it has a base duration of two months.The project includes fasttrack processing facilitated by the vessel’s high-capacity…

Norway-based provider of marine geophysical services, Shearwater GeoServices has been awarded a 3D Isometrix seismic survey by Colombia’s Ecopetrol.It will be Shearwater’s first Isometrix survey in Latin America with marine acquisition starting in Q4 2019, said GC Rieber Shipping ASA's 20% owned geoservices company.The survey covers 2 000 sq. km of 3D seismic offshore Colombia on Ecopetrol’s Block COL-5 and will be acquired by the SW Amundsen equipped with Isometrix multisensor streamer technology.Isometrix streamer technology is a true 3D multisensor system that can record the full seismic wavefield enabling better receiver deghosting and improved seismic images.

SeaBird Exploration, a global provider of marine 2D and 3D seismic data and associated products and services to the oil and gas industry, has estimated that its ongoing seismic surveys in West Africa and Americas will both be completed about two months later than originally planned.The the ongoing niche 3D survey in West Africa utilizing the “Nordic Explorer” and a 2D survey in the Americas employing the “Harrier Explorer” are rigged with the ”Digistreamer” technology and both surveys are affected by difficulties with availability and lead-time of select seismic streamer equipment parts relating to this technology.This includes a significant increase in the repair period for streamer sections compared to historic experience caused by the service offering…

The global offshore oil and gas seismic equipment and acquisitions solutions market stood at around $660 million in 2018 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5% to cross $890 million by 2024.According to a report by ResearchAndMarkets, the growth of global offshore oil and gas seismic equipment and acquisition solutions market is majorly attributable to rising investments in oil & gas exploration activities, stability in crude oil prices and an increasing number of strategic partnerships.Moreover, the increasing demand for oil and gas is resulting in rising exploration activities to find more oil and gas reserves, which in turn, is further fueling the growth of global offshore oil and gas seismic equipment and acquisitions solutions market.In terms of type…

The provider of marine 2D and 3D seismic data and associated products and services to the oil and gas industry, SeaBird Exploration announced a contract award by Wintershall Dea for 2D acquisition in the Norwegian Sea.The survey has an expected duration of one month and start in the third quarter this year, the Norwegian seismic player said in a press release.Meanwhile, SeaBird has made further progress towards the completion of the acquisition of the Boa Galatea and Boa Thalassa vessels. It has reached an agreement with bondholders with respect to all material terms for the acquisition.SeaBird earlier said that it is in an exclusive process to acquire the two seismic vessels in a transaction which values the vessels at NOK 185 million (close to $22 million).On the basis of said agreement…

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) and Norwegian marine seismic specialist Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) announced the Torngat 3D multi-client project in Offshore East Canada.Torngat 3D will cover approximately 3,287 km2 and encompasses sections of the open acreage included in the Labrador South November 2021 bid round, said a press release from TGS, provider of multi-client geoscience data to oil and gas Exploration and Production companies worldwide.PGS’ Ramform Titan will perform the acquisition, utilizing Geostreamer technology. The project is expected to commence in late July 2019.The Torngat 3D survey sits within Labrador Sea’s southern sedimentary basins where frontier exploration has already successfully identified hydrocarbons…

Seismic survey company TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) said it will acquire rival seismic survey company Spectrum ASA.The transaction is expected to be completed as a statutory merger pursuant to Norwegian corporate law between TGS and Spectrum, with merger consideration to Spectrum shareholders in the form of 0.28x ordinary shares of TGS for each Spectrum share, in addition to a cash consideration of $0.27 multiplied by the Exchange Ratio subject to the transaction closing after the ex-date for the TGS dividend payable in th third quarter of 2019 (expected to be early August 2019).Definitive merger documents are expected to be entered into during May…

Norwegian seismic acquisition company SeaBird Exploration said  it is in an exclusive process to acquire the seismic vessels BOA Galatea and BOA Thalassa owned by BOA Offshore in a transaction which values the vessels at NOK 185 million ($22 million).The BOA Vessels are well suited for source and 2D operations, as well as EM seabed logging, for which BOA Thalassa is currently contracted with EMGS ASA until September 2019 with options for EMGS ASA to extend for three periods of six months each.In order to finance the acquisition of the BOA Vessels, as well as to finance an upgrade of BOA Galatea to high end 2D / source capability, the Company is contemplating a private placement of new shares  in the Company raising gross proceeds of minimum NOK 225 million and maximum of NOK 250 million.

Marine surveyor SeaBird Exploration said on Monday it has been awarded two new contracts, including one in West Africa and another in the Gulf of Mexico.The company said it received a letter of award for a niche 3D survey in West Africa, with a total value of approximately $6.5 million. The survey is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2019, with a total duration of about 80 days including associated vessel transit.Due to fleet positioning and other contract opportunities, SeaBird will time-charter the Nordic Explorer for this survey and will also bid the vessel for subsequent opportunities in the second half of 2019. In connection with the charter agreement…

Africa Energy Corp., an oil and gas company with exploration assets offshore South Africa and Namibia, has announced the start of a new 3D marine seismic acquisition programme over the Paddavissie Fairway on Block 11B/12B offshore South Africa.The Brulpadda discovery is located on Block 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin 175 kilometers off the southern coast of South Africa. The block covers an area of 19,000 square kilometers with water depths ranging from 200 to 1,800 meters.Jan Maier, Africa Energy's VP Exploration, said:  "We are pleased to announce the initiation of a 3D seismic program with Polarcus to better define prospects within Block 11B/12B offshore South Africa.

Searcher Seismic, in cooperation with BGP, has completed the acquisition of the Triok broadband non-exclusive 2D seismic survey in the Northern Basins of Papua New Guinea.Following the acquisition of the Solomon Sea non-exclusive 2D in the northern basins of Papua New Guinea, the Triok broadband non-exclusive 2D seismic survey consists of 3,845 km (2,389 mi) of 2D long-offset, high-resolution, broadband seismic and offers regional coverage of the Cape Vogel basin and Huon Gulf.Andrew Weller, Asia-Pacific Manager for Searcher Seismic, said the survey will be the key to unlock several questions and understanding of Northern Papua New Guinea…

Norwegian offshore survey specialist Shearwater GeoServices has been awarded three 4D seismic surveys by Equinor to be conducted this summer.The Geoservices company said in a press release that the projects confirm Shearwater’s Isometrix crews will be active in 2019, on 4D projects in the North Sea and Barents Sea. Together with the recent announcement of 3 OBS 4Ds this brings Shearwater’s announced 2019 4D awards to 6 projects, confirming its market leading position in 4D.Equinor has awarded Shearwater a multi-project contract, with three surveys to be conducted in 2019 at the Kvitebjørn & Valemon, Visund and Snøhvit fields. The first survey is scheduled to start in Q2 and the total duration for the three 2019 projects is estimated at around 3 months.

The global seismic survey provider Spectrum, in cooperation with BGP, has started a 20,000-km (12,427-mi) 2D survey in the Colorado and Salado basin offshore Argentina.The 2D seismic survey launched to acquire data for future licensing rounds off South American country.This new program ties with Spectrum’s existing 35,000 km survey that was acquired in 2017 for the ongoing first offshore licensing round.The survey is done in cooperation with BGP utilizing the vessel BGP Pioneer.Data is being acquired with a 12 km streamer with continuous recording to image deep reflection and high fold data. This will support full interpretation from Moho to water bottom.

A federal court judge on Friday ruled that the federal government cannot process seismic testing permits for offshore oil drilling during the ongoing government shutdown, dealing a blow Trump administration's energy agenda.Judge Richard Gergel of the U.S. District Court in South Carolina issued the decision in response to a motion filed by a range of conservation and business groups and coastal cities opposed to the adminstration's efforts to expand U.S. offshore drilling.The…

Norwegian seismic player Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (PGS) updated on changes of the contract for the 3D survey in South America announced November 14, 2018.The vessels Ramform Atlas and Ramform Tethys mobilized early December 2018 for this survey. The contract had an estimated total duration of approximately 13 vessel months and an estimated value in excess of $75 million, the marine geophysical company said.Due to unresolved issues affecting the survey, both vessels have been on paid standby from December 23, 2018.The client, ExxonMobil, has notified PGS that the Ramform Atlas is no longer required. PGS will receive payment for mobilization, work performed, standby and demobilization.

Norwegian seismic services provider Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) has offered to sell the Ramform Sterling vessel to the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC).The seismic services that help oil companies to find oil and gas reserves offshore worldwide said in a press release that it had been informed that JOGMEC, an incorporated administrative agency of Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry, is the preferred tenderer and that negotiations would be initiated with the aim of concluding necessary contracts."PGS has now been informed that the Company is the preferred tenderer, and negotiations will be initiated with the aim of concluding necessary contracts. A final award to PGS will only take place if and when all contracts have been concluded.

Norway-based provider of marine geophysical services Shearwater GeoServices Holding  announced the completion of the acquisition of the marine seismic acquisition assets and operations of WesternGeco, the geophysical services product line of Schlumberger.The owner of world’s largest fleet of high-end seismic vessels said in a release that the transaction was completed following receipt of relevant regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions.“We are now an industry-leading full-range geophysical services company with a solid financial and strategic platform. We are eager to move ahead as one strong combined business with global reach…

Norwegian seismic surveyor SeaBird Exploration said it had taken delivery of the Geowave Voyager from France's CGG, and the vessel has been renamed Eagle Explorer.The vessel was acquired fully rigged with 40km streamer and dual source, for $17 million and a NOK 120 million private placement.As part of the purchase agreement, SeaBird will have a preferred supplier status with CGG when using the Eagle Explorer.SeaBird and CGG have entered into a 160-day contract for the vessel, operating as a source vessel, with options for CGG to extend.The vessel will go to work starting in December, after completing class renewal.

Norwegian offshore shipping company GC Rieber Shipping announced acting chief executive officer Einar Ytredal has appointed to the CEO role on a permanent basis. At the same time, Øystein Kvåle was named new chief financial officer (CFO) and Christoffer Knudsen was promoted to chief commercial officer (CCO).Ytredal was appointed acting CEO in mid-September 2018. He has been with the company since 2007, first as vice president finance and then as CFO since September 2011. Before joining GC Rieber Shipping, Ytredal worked at Deloitte.

Sister-ships Oceanic Sirius and Oceanic Vega have completed a round-the-clock, 10-day maintenance program at Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam (DSAm). For eight of those days the two 106-meter vessels were in the yard’s 250-meter drydock no.4 in a tandem arrangement to maximize the efficiency of the yard's resources.The twin SX120 type seismic research vessels were built by Ulstein Verft in Norway are owned by CGG Eidesvik Ship Management AS, a joint venture between Eidesvik Offshore and CGG.