Complex 3D seismic campaign across Saudi east coast now complete

Aug. 1, 2011
BGP has completed a 3D seismic survey off/onshore eastern Saudi Arabia for Saudi Aramco.

Offshore staff

ZHUOZHOU HEBEI, China – BGP has completed a 3D seismic survey off/onshore eastern Saudi Arabia for Saudi Aramco.

The BGP Crew 8652 acquired 1,876 sq km (724 sq mi) of data for the S53 3D TZ survey.

The project area comprised desert, Gobi, seasonal lakes, shallow water, infrastructure for industrial facilities, an airport, oilfields, wharves, offshore exploration platforms, and subsea pipelines the entire area.

BGP’s project team integrated three different types of energy sources - vibroseis, explosives, and air guns - to accommodate the complex and varied different working terrains, completing the project in 18 months almost five months ahead of schedule.

Earlier, the BGP Pioneer vessel completed a program for PDVSA offshore Venezuela, comprising 2,145 sq km (828 sq mi) of 3D seismic survey and a 5,059-km (3,143-mi) GM survey.

The work area was in block Barracuda 10G, in water depths from 16-60 m (52-197 ft), extending from a southwestern to a northeastern direction, and also following the southwest shoreline.

Here the challenges included extremes of weather, unpredictable water depth with frequent shallow spots, constantly changing current, and tight constraints of the work area.

08/01/2011