Polarcus
Polarcus was a UAE-based marine geophysical company specializing in high-end seismic exploration services for the oil and gas industry. It was established in 2008 and gained a reputation for its commitment to environmentally responsible practices, including the use of advanced, eco-friendly vessels designed to minimize the ecological footprint.
The company operated a fleet of seismic survey vessels equipped with state-of-the-art technology to collect subsurface geological data, which is crucial for oil and gas exploration. Their services included 2D, 3D, and 4D seismic data acquisition, as well as multi-client project solutions.
One of the notable aspects of Polarcus was its focus on sustainability. The company invested in technologies and practices to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, aiming to mitigate the environmental impact of seismic surveys. Polarcus was also known for implementing best practices in health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management.
In recent years, however, the company faced financial difficulties. In January 2021, Polarcus announced that it was in default of its debt obligations. The company's lenders took control of its vessels, and Polarcus eventually ceased its exploration activities. The company's flagship assets were sold off as part of the liquidation process, marking the end of its operations.
Polarcus' story is a reflection of the challenges faced by the seismic services industry, including market volatility, high operational costs, and competition. Despite its exit from the market, the company's emphasis on environmental stewardship left a lasting impact on the industry.
- Phone: +971 4 43 60 800
- Web: https://www.polarcus.com
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Polarcus News
Sovcomflot Returns Seismic Vessel to Polarcus
Russian firm Sovcomflot has returned the offshore seismic vessel Ivan Gubkin to its owner Polarcus.The 14-streamer 3D seismic vessel - originally named Polarcus Amani - had been on a charter with Sovcomflot since 2017 and should've stayed with Sovcomflot for five and a half years.However, the two companies earlier this month agreed for Sovcomflot to extend the contract for Polarcus' other seismic vessel…
Polarcus Seismic Vessel Refit Completed
Portugal’s Navalrocha shipyard said it has completed a multimillion-euro repair and refit project for Dubai-based marine geophysical company Polarcus.The drydock project which completed in January 2020 involved a broad package of work to the ultra-modern 14 streamer 3D/4D seismic vessel – Polarcus Naila.The vessel is environmentally advanced with diesel-electric propulsion, high specification catalytic converters…
Polarcus Wins 3D Project in West Africa
Offshore geophysical firm Polarcus Limited said Thursday it has received an award for a 3D marine seismic acquisition project in West Africa.The award comprises two surveys of approximately three months each, with the first survey expected to commence Q2 2019 and the second survey Q4 2019.
Polarcus Names Oestergaard COO
Seismic vessel owner Polarcus Limited has appointed Lars Oestergaard as chief operating officer effective immediately. He will lead the company’s geophysical, operations and sales teams as well as the EHSQ department.Oestergaard joins Polarcus from Maersk Drillingm, where he held a number of operational and commercial roles, most recently as chief commercial officer.Oestergaard has been awarded 350…
Polarcus Scores Two Seismic Survey Projects
Marine geophysical company Polarcus Limited announced it has secured two offshore seismic survey projects.The company said it has entered into a contract for a two-month broadband 3D marine seismic acquisition project in Australia that will commence immediately.Polarcus also received a letter of award for an XArray 3D marine seismic acquisition project in Asia Pacific. The two-month project is slated…
Mannering Named Polarcus Chairman
Michael Mannering has been nominated to succeed Polarcus’ outgoing chairman of the board, Peter Rigg, with effect from the 2018 AGM on May 10.Rigg will retire after a decade as chairman of the marine geophysical company, having served in the role since the company’s inception in 2008.Mannering has previously held many senior corporate positions in Schlumberger as well as chairman and, subsequently, non-executive director of Songa Offshore until its acquisition by Transocean.
Polarcus Awarded 4D Project in Asia Pacific
Marine geophysical company Polarcus Limited said it has received a letter of award for a 4D marine seismic acquisition project in the Asia Pacific region. The project is due to commence in the first quarter of 2018 and will run for approximately one month. A Polarcus spokesperson said the company could not share further information around the project. Following this award the Polarcus’ active fleet is 100 percent booked for the first quarter.
Polarcus Extends Cooperation with TGS
Seismic contractor Polarcus has extended the agreement with TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA (TGS) for an additional year. Under the agreement, the companies will…
Polarcus Fleet Booked through Q3
Polarcus Limited said it has received a letter of award for a broadband 3D marine seismic project in Asia Pacific. With this contract, Polarcus’ fleet is fully booked through to the end of the third quarter 2017. The project is due to commence in the third quarter of 2017 and will run for approximately one month.
Polarcus Amani Delivered to Sovcomflot
A 5.5 year bareboat charter agreement between Polarcus Limited Norwegian subsidiary Polarcus Amani AS and SCF GEO AS (Sovcomflot) has been signed, and the vessel delivered to Sovcomflot in Bergen. The vessel was delivered without streamers, providing the Polarcus fleet with one excess streamer package, which the company said will significantly reduce its capital expenditure requirements through 2017 and 2018.
Eley to Take over as Polarcus CEO
Duncan Eley has been appointed chief executive officer of Oslo listed offshore geophysical services company Polarcus Limited, replacing Rod Starr, who has resigned following a two year reorganization period. Eley has been promoted to the CEO role from his current position as chief operating officer, succeeding Starr effective immediately. Starr will continue to work with the executive management team and Polarcus' Board of Directors for a transition period during the second quarter of 2017.
Polarcus Bags Work in Australia, West Africa
Polarcus Limited has announce that the Company has finalized a contract for 3D marine seismic acquisition in Australia. The program will deliver a high quality broadband…
TGS Hires Polarcus for Europe
Polarcus has received a letter of award from TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company, a marine seismic data acquisition specialist, for acquisition of 30,000 square kilometers of 3D multi-client data in Europe.
Polarcus Achieves High Utilization at Low Costs
Polarcus Limited announced release of its third quarter 2016 financial statements. The third quarter financial results reflect a continued competitive market in…
Polarcus Grows Vessel Backlog
Seismic vessel owner Polarcus Limited announced it has received multiple awards which together extend the fleet backlog by six vessel months. The projects will be carried out by multiple Polarcus vessels and commence in the first and second quarters of 2016. Commenting on this latest awards, Duncan Eley, COO of the Dubai-based Polarcus, said, “Two of the awards are extensions of current projects.
Polarcus Announces Further Job Cuts
Marine geophysical company Polarcus announced it will implement further measures to cut costs, including additional headcount reductions and changes to the executive management team. The expanded cost reductions are part of a longer term plan that aims to help Polarcus withstand a prolonged difficult market as well as to take advantage of opportunities in this volatile environment, the company explained.
Polarcus Deploys World’s Largest Manmade Object
Polarcus is currently acquiring an ultra-wide 3D marine seismic project offshore Myanmar, for which its vessel Polarcus Amani is towing an in-sea configuration that measures 1.8 kilometers wide across the front ends. With each of the 10 streamers separated by 200 meters, the total area covered by the spread is 17.6 square kilometers, making for the largest in-sea configuration ever towed by a single seismic vessel, as well as the largest manmade moving object on earth.
Polarcus Extends Collaboration with Turkish Petroleum
Polarcus Limited announced a two-year extension of the support services agreement with Turkish Petroleum covering seismic data acquisition management, maritime management and crewing support.
Polarcus Awarded Broadband 3D Project in West Africa
Polarcus Limited has received a letter of intent from an undisclosed client to execute a 3D marine seismic project in West Africa utilizing Polarcus' RightBAND technique…
Polarcus Gets West Africa Contract
Polarcus Limited has announced it has received a letter of intent for a 3D marine seismic project in West Africa. The client was not disclosed by the Dubai-based seismic vessel operator…