Barents Sea partnership formed for frontier seismic program

Dec. 10, 2013
Statoil is leading a joint seismic acquisition program in the southeastern Barents Sea.

Offshore staff

STAVANGER, Norway – Statoil is leading a joint seismic acquisition program in the southeastern Barents Sea.

Following a request from Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, 17 oil companies agreed to jointly acquire 3D seismic data over blocks in the southeastern Barents Sea that are to be made available under Norway’s 23rd licensing round next year.

This is the country’s first new offshore area to be opened since 1994.

The 17 companies that will be involved in planning and implementing the 3D program are: Statoil, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Det norske oljeselskap, Eni, GDF Suez, Idemitsu, Lukoil, Lundin, Norske Shell, PGNiG, Repsol, Spike, Suncor, VNG, and Wintershall.

According to Gro G. Haatvedt, Statoil’s senior vice president for exploration on the Norwegian continental shelf, “Coordinated seismic acquisition has several advantages. It will ensure very good data quality, since the industry to a much greater extent will be able to utilize the companies’ collective professional expertise within geological understanding and seismic acquisition and processing.

“The initiative lays the foundation for fewer, well-planned operations, thus reducing acquisition costs and potential disadvantages for the fishing industry.”

12/10/2013