Geology & Geophysics News

Double gas strike for ONGC offshore India

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:37:00 GMT

India’s Oil & Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC) (NSE: ONGC, BSE: 500312) has notched two shallow water discoveries this year offshore India.

TGS performs wide seismic sweep over northern Europe

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:03:00 GMT

TGS (TGS:Oslo) has updated various seismic gathering programs off northern Europe.

Consultations over Kara Sea seismic survey

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:41:00 GMT

Public hearings have been staged in Archangelsk to discuss planned seismic research programs in the Kara Sea off northern Russia.

Barents Sea EM survey draws funding

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:53:00 GMT

Electromagnetic Geoservices has secured pre-funding for a multi-client 3D EM campaign in the Barents Sea, ahead of Norway's 22nd exploration licensing round awards.

Searcher Seismic runs two 2D seismic surveys offshore Australia

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:09:00 GMT

Searcher Seismic Pty Ltd. is in the midst of two non-exclusive seismic surveys offshore Australia.

GeoGlobal awaits rig for Israel commitments

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:39:00 GMT

GeoGlobal Resources expects to receive the drilling rig Noble Homer Ferrington by late March or mid-April.

Polarcus to do 3D survey offshore Greenland for Shell

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:42:00 GMT

Shell Kanumas has contracted Polarcus Ltd. to conduct an 8,500 sq km (3,282 sq mi) 3D seismic acquisition project offshore Greenland.

NZOG assesses Tunisia seismic needs

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:49:00 GMT

New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) is finalizing arrangements for a new 2D seismic survey in the Gulf of Gabes ofshore Tunisia.

Oilex wins Timor-Leste exploration extension

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:11:00 GMT

Oilex continues to mature a drilling candidate for a third commitment well in the JPDA 06-103 concession offshore Timor-Leste, according to partner PanPacific Petroleum (PPP).

NSE commissions study of North Sea structures

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:03:00 GMT

North Sea Energy (NSE) has contracted Senergy GB for technical studies on four exploration prospects in the UK North Sea.

Nido contracts added offshore Philippines seismic survey

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:01:00 GMT

Nido Petroleum Philippines Pty Ltd plans to acquire 1,000 line km of new 2D seismic over the Bikuda-Bulador area in SC 58 offshore Philippines.

Norway sanctions far north offshore seismic surveys

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:25:00 GMT

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has contracted PGS and Dolphin Geophysical to acquire seismic data in Norway’s northern offshore outposts.

Hyperdynamics’ Guinea drilling delayed, 3D seismic interpretation begins

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:16:00 GMT

A 4,000-sq km (1,544-sq mi) deepwater seismic acquisition program offshore Guinea is in processing with first results expected this March.

Tullow, Shell team to tackle frontier plays

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:55:00 GMT

Tullow Oil has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Shell to collaborate in frontier exploration in selected regions and geological plays around the Atlantic basin.

Sercel acquires Geophysical Research

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:39:00 GMT

CGGVeritas subsidiary Sercel has acquired the assets of Geophysical Research Co LLC.

TGS scheduled deepwater 3D survey offshore Angola

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:35:00 GMT

Now that a final agreement has been reached with Sonangol E.P., TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. will begin acquisition of a 3D multi-client seismic survey offshore Angola covering about 12,500 sq km (4,826 sq mi).

Zeppelin 2D offshore seismic survey complete in Timor Sea, 3D scheduled

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:18:00 GMT

The Veritas Viking II has completed acquisition of 2D seismic data in the Timor Sea for MEO Australia Ltd.

Albania 3D data reveals multiple offshore prospects

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:06:00 GMT

San Leon Energy has received the first final processed volumes from last year’s 840-sq km (324-mi) 3D seismic survey on the company’s Durresi license offshore Albania.

BPC builds clearer picture of Bahamas acreage

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:02:00 GMT

Bahamas Petroleum Corp. (BPC) has completed initial processing of the Pearl 3D seismic survey offshore the Bahamas.

2D multi-client seismic underway offshore Namibia

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:04:00 GMT

Spectrum, CGGVeritas and the National Petroleum Corp. of Namibia have started a new 2D multi-client seismic survey in the deepwater Orange basin offshore Namibia.

PGS starts huge seismic survey offshore Angola

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:15:00 GMT

Petroleum Geo-Services ASA’s Ramform Valiant is underway to acquire 26,000 sq km (10,039 sq mi) of 3D data in five Kwanza/Benguela basin blocks offshore Angola.

MEO contracts CGGVeritas for marine seismic surveys offshore Australia

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:10:00 GMT

MEO Australia Ltd. has contracted CGGVeritas Services SA to conduct three marine seismic surveys offshore Australia.

Strong response to Norwegian offshore seismic data offer

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:25:00 GMT

Seven companies have purchased the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s seismic data package from the unexplored northern Norwegian offshore areas around Lofoten and Vesterålen.

African Petroleum secures new Côte d'Ivoire exploration block

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:05:00 GMT

African Petroleum Côte d’Ivoire Ltd. has agreed with the Société Nationale d’Opérations Pétrolières de la Côte d’Ivoire (PETROCI) and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to acquire an offshore exploration permit for block CL-513.

Bathurst 3D seismic survey completed over Blackwood East

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:20:00 GMT

Eni has notified MEO Australia that acquisition of the Bathurst 3D seismic survey covering the Blackwood East structure has been completed.

Serica prepares for Namibia 3D survey

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:30:00 GMT

Namibia’s government has formally confirmed the award of a petroleum agreement to Serica Energy for an offshore license in the central Luderitz basin.

Big GoM seismic survey leads list of projects under way

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 23:21:00 GMT

With the prospects of drilling picking up in the Gulf of Mexico, seismic data acquisition is ongoing.

North America

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:44:00 GMT

Kenai Offshore Adventures has acquired the jackup GSF Adriatic XI from Transocean, renaming it Endeavour – Spirit of Independence.

Rosneft progressing Arctic, Black Sea ventures

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:16:00 GMT

Rosneft president Eduard Khudainatov has issued an update of the company’s programs offshore Russia.

Azimuth set to acquire toehold offshore Namibian concessions

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas has agreed a farm-out with Azimuth concerning its three licenses offshore Namibia.

Australia proposes 2012 lease area, awards permits from 2010 round

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:05:00 GMT

Leasing results and future plans are the areas of activity covered by the government of Australia as 2011 closes.

Enegi Oil reviews exploration options off Newfoundland

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:56:00 GMT

Enegi Oil has provided an update on activity in its EL11116 license offshore Newfoundland.

TGS starts 3D seismic survey offshore northwestern Australia

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:50:30 GMT

TGS has started to acquire a new 3D multi-client seismic survey over Mary Rose Northeast offshore northwest Australia.

EMGS, Schlumberger reach marine electromagnetic exploration agreement

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:46:00 GMT

EMGS and Schlumberger have announced the intention to enter a cooperative agreement effective Jan. 3, 2012, to offer marine electromagnetic related processing, advanced modeling, and earth model building.

TGS collecting orthogonal WAZ data in GoM

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

TGS, in partnership with WesternGeco, has begun to acquire 3D multi-client, wide-azimuth seismic data over 11,655 sq km (4,500 sq mi) of the Gulf of Mexico.

NPD selling offshore seismic data package

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate is selling in one package 2D and 3D seismic data collected off Lofoten, Vesterålen, and Senja (Nordland VII and Troms II).

Seruway seismic survey underway off Indonesia

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:46:00 GMT

MEO Australia Ltd. says its Seruway Offshore Exploration Ltd. subsidiary has started seismic acquisition offshore Indonesia over the Ibu Horst area.

2D seismic survey completed offshore Italy

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:55:00 GMT

CGGVeritas has completed a six-day, 600-km (373-mi) 2D seismic survey for Northern Petroleum in the southern Adriatic Sea, covering the F.R39.NP and F.R40.NP license offshore Italy.

3D survey under way in Australian northern sector

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:25:00 GMT

Eni has notified MEO Australia that the Bathurst 3D seismic acquisition program has started off northern Australia.

Blueback releases Toolbox v11 with seismic reservoir characterization

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:10:00 GMT

Blueback Reservoir continues to expand its collection of Petrel plug-ins for exploration and production with the release of Blueback Toolbox v11.

CGX contracts 3D seismic survey offshore Guyana by PGS

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:25:30 GMT

CGX Resources Inc. has hired Petroleum Geo-Services to conduct a 3D marine seismic survey offshore Guyana.

TGS charters Polarcus Amani for 3D seismic work offshore Europe

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:50:00 GMT

TGS has signed a letter of intent with Polarcus to charter the newbuild <I>M/V Polarcus Amani</I>.

Exploration permit Vic/P41 offshore Australia gets five-year extension

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:10:00 GMT

Bass Strait Oil Co. Ltd. has received a five-year extension to its exploration permit Vic/P41 offshore Australia.

TGS charters Polar Duchess for offshore Europe work next summer

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:25:00 GMT

TGS has signed a letter of award with Dolphin Geophysical to charter the newbuild M/V Polar Duchess seismic vessel.

Eni commits to Blackwood 3D survey offshore Australia

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:20:00 GMT

Eni Australia has committed to acquisition of the Blackwood 3D seismic survey offshore northern Australia, according to partner MEO.

Blueback releases new EM plug-in for Petrel

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:00:50 GMT

Blueback Reservoir has released a new version of Bridge Electromagnetics 5.0, its CSEM plug-in for Petrel.

Ocean bottom seismic a key technology offshore West Africa

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:50:20 GMT

Seabed seismic data acquisition can be applied to many seismic and geological challenges and may improve reservoir characterization and management. The technology has in recent years become strategic for many oil companies in their de-risking of wells and recovery factor improvement.

Innovation and investment propel Petrobras toward deeper waters

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:30:00 GMT

Petrobras estimates that Brazil's presalt reserves contain about 50 Bboe – enough to turn the country into one of the world's top oil producers in this coming decade.

Seismic review generates prospects off Morocco

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:50:00 GMT

New leads are emerging from re-processed 2D seismic on the Tarfaya block offshore Morocco, according to Tangiers Petroleum.

GeoGlobal prepares for Israeli deepwater well

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:25:00 GMT

GeoGlobal Resources has issued a brief review of its exploration activities offshore Israel.

Jan Mayen survey points to petroleum potential

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:50:00 GMT

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) and the University of Bergen have acquired samples from steep parts of the seabed on the Jan Mayen ridge between Norway and Iceland.

Lansdowne takes receipt of 3D data from North Celtic Sea

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:55:00 GMT

Lansdowne Oil & Gas has taken delivery of the processed 3D data taken in seismic surveys earlier this year over Amergin, Rosscarbery, and Midleton prospects in the North Celtic Sea basin offshore Ireland.

Paradigm wins Kazakhstan support role

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:45:00 GMT

North Caspian Operating Co. (NCOC) has contracted Paradigm for technical services to support teams based at NCOC’s Technical Data Center in Kazakhstan.

Ebok production building offshore Nigeria

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:36:00 GMT

Production from the shallow-water Ebok Phase 1 development off Nigeria is currently at 15,800 b/d of oil, according to operator Afren.

Tunisia survey to aid well location

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:25:00 GMT

CGGVeritas has completed a marine 3D seismic survey for Cooper Energy over the western portion of the Nabeul permit offshore Tunisia.

Survey designed to penetrate basalt geology of Møre basin

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:01:00 GMT

Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) is preparing to start a multi-client 3D magnetotelluric (MT) survey covering 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq mi) in the Møre basin of the Norwegian Sea.

Chariot fires up 3D seismic survey offshore Namibia

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:35:00 GMT

A 3D seismic acquisition program offshore Namibia is underway by Petroleum Geo-Services, reports Chariot Oil & Gas Ltd.

Fugro-Geoteam lined up for Malta 3D survey

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:46:00 GMT

Malta Oil, as subsidiary of Mediterranean Oil & Gas (MOG), has contracted Fugro-Geoteam to acquire 3D seismic data over part of the Area 4 license offshore Malta.

AWE to drill in East Java basin

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:55:00 GMT

AWE (Titan) NZ Ltd. has contracted to drill the Atlas-1 well in the Titan PSC offshore East Java basin, Indonesia.

CGGVeritas begins 3D survey offshore Guinea for Hyperdynamics

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:20:00 GMT

Hyperdynamics Corp. reports that CGGVeritas has started the planned 3D deepwater seismic survey offshore the Republic of Guinea.

Dolphin scheduled 2D seismic in Brazil's Barreirinhas and Ceara

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:50:00 GMT

Dolphin Geophysical will start a 2D multi-client seismic survey for Spectrum ASA over blocks in the northern equatorial margin offshore Brazil.

Badger gets research support for field demonstration

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:15:00 GMT

The Research Council of Norway has approved Badger Explorer’s application for support of a field demonstration project.

Petrobras confirms Franco area potential

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:45:00 GMT

Petrobras has announced that the first well drilled after the execution of the Transfer of Rights agreement confirmed the extension of the oil reserves located northwest of the Franco area discovery well, in the Santos basin pre-salt cluster.

IAGC releases environmental study on electromagnetic techniques

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:55:00 GMT

The International Association of Geophysical Contractors has released its study on the environmental impact of electromagnetic surveys on the marine environment.

Presalt appraisal well scores offshore Brazil

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:50:00 GMT

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. says its Itaipu-2 presalt appraisal well offshore Brazil encountered a 58 ft (8 m) gross hydrocarbon column in a carbonate reservoir.

Melrose extends seismic sweep of Black Sea concessions

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT

Melrose Resources has started acquisition of a 3D seismic survey on the Galata exploration block in the Bulgarian sector of the Black Sea.

Baker Hughes releases new WellLink 3D version

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:05:00 GMT

Baker Hughes releases new version of WellLink 3D visualization service.

Dolphin exercises option for Polar Duchess seismic vessel charter

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:35:00 GMT

Dolphin Group ASA says it has exercised an option to charter the M/V Polar Duchess from Armada Seismic for a firm period of three years.

Oceanic Sirius begins 3D seismic over Avaldsnes

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:20:00 GMT

CGGVeritas has landed the first contract for its newbuild Oceanic Sirius seismic survey vessel.

TGS on active survey duty in Arctic regions

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:35:00 GMT

TGS Nopec has started a 22,000-km (13,670-mi) multi-client (MC) survey offshore Labrador-Newfoundland in partnership with PGS.

Serica wins lead role in Namibia blocks

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:30:00 GMT

Serica Energy has secured exploration interests in the Luderitz basin offshore Namibia.

First Northern Sea Route transit made by Alima

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:55:10 GMT

In a trip that may be the first-ever transit to the Asia/Pacific arena via the Northern Sea Route, the Ulstein X-BOW designed Polarcus Alima has cut the travel time from Norway to New Zealand by at least eight days.

Integration, multi-discipline cooperation among the trends at SEG 2011

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:15:20 GMT

The Society of Exploration Geophysicists annual meeting allows attendees to learn about specific technical advances and gain insight into the broad indications of how the business is doing, and what the general trends are.

Brazil conference highlights technologies, opportunities

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:05:40 GMT

For the first time ever outside of Houston, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) expanded to Brazil, Oct. 4-6, to create the OTC Brasil 2011 conference and exhibition.

ION expands seismic data acquisition in arctic regions

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:05:00 GMT

ION Geophysical says it has acquired an additional 5,200 km (3,231 mi) of regional seismic data
offshore northeast Greenland.

Norway commissions Barents Sea hydrographic program

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:30:00 GMT

Fugro OSAE has won a €2.3 million ($3.2 million) hydrographic survey contract in the far north of the Norwegian offshore sector.

Bengal plans 3D seismic offshore northern Australia

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:15:00 GMT

Bengal Energy Ltd. says it plans a 750 sq km (290 sq mi) 3D seismic program off northern Australia late this year or early in 2012.

NZOG lines up seismic vessel for Tunisia

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:05:00 GMT

New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) has secured a seismic vessel for a program on its Diodore permit offshore Tunisia, due to start in December.

Spectrum licenses Paradigm's Echos for seismic processing, imaging

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:10:00 GMT

Paradigm has announced that Spectrum has selected the Echos software suite as its corporate standard tool for seismic processing and imaging.

Bahamas Petroleum 3D seismic survey complete

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:05:00 GMT

Bahamas Petroleum Co. plc says it has completed acquisition of a 3D seismic program offshore the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Providence upgrades Barryroe license ahead of well spud

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:55:00 GMT

Providence Resources has been awarded Standard Exploration License 1/11 over the Barryroe oil discovery off southern Ireland.

Spectrum details seismic data from offshore northeast Iceland

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:25:00 GMT

Spectrum has released details on more than 10,000 km (6,214 mi) of multi-client 2D seismic data from the Dreki /Jan Mayen Ridge area off the northeast coast of Iceland.

TGS starts 3rd multi-client Barents seismic survey

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:40:00 GMT

TGS has started acquisition of a multi-client 3D survey in the Barents Sea between the Finnmark platform and Nordkapp basin.

Petrobras and BG Brasil sign agreement to develop pre-salt technologies

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:15:00 GMT

Petrobras and BG Brasil have signed a technical cooperation agreement to develop key technological solutions for overcoming the challenges they face.

TGS to run 3D seismic survey off northwest Australia

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:00:00 GMT

TGS plans to begin acquiring new multi-client 3D seismic data in November offshore northwest Australia.

Study highlights Dragon gas potential offshore Ireland

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Providence Resources says the Dragon discovery in the St George’s Channel basin off southeast Ireland may contain more gas than previously thought.

Geomodeling releases AttributeStudio 7.1

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:36:00 GMT

Geomodeling Technology Corp. has released AttributeStudio 7.1 seismic attribute interpretation software.

Oceanic Sirius to join CGGVeritas seismic survey operations

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:21:00 GMT

Eidesvik has taken delivery from Ulstein of the seismic vessel Oceanic Sirius for CGGVeritas.

Petrobras addresses unknowns of pre-salt drilling and production

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:05:30 GMT

Brazil currently produces 100,000 b/d of oil from its deepwater pre-salt fields, but is targeting a tenfold increase to 1 MMb/d by 2017.

ffA releases two new computer programs for geoscientists

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:40:00 GMT

According to ffA, it has released SVI Pro and SEA 3D Pro 2011.1 software, including a new Petrel link, SaltApp, and extended Geoprobe link.

Seitel licenses EarthStudy 360 from Paradigm

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:35:00 GMT

Seitel Inc. has commercially licensed Paradigm’s EarthStudy 360 technology.

TGS gets 3D seismic acquisition permission from BOEMRE for GoM

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:30:00 GMT

TGS reports receipt of a permit from the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulations and Enforcement to acquire 3D wide-azimuth data in the Gulf of Mexico.

Clontarf outlines exploration aims for Tano 2A in Ghana

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:55:00 GMT

Clontarf Energy is keen to start exploration in the Tano 2A block offshore/onshore Ghana.

Lundin ups oil yield estimate for Avaldsnes in the North Sea

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:40:00 GMT

Lundin Norway has raised its estimate of oil resources at the Avaldsnes discovery in the Norwegian North Sea to 800-1.8 MMbbl recoverable.

TGS starts 3D seismic acquisition off Sierra Leone

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:15:00 GMT

TGS says it has started acquisition of new multi-client 3D seismic data offshore Sierra Leone and will add 1,038 sq km (401 sq mi) of data.

TGS expanding eastern Indonesia 2D data bank

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:10:00 GMT

TGS has started a 2D multi-client seismic survey offshore eastern Indonesia, just north of the Sunrise-Troubadour gas fields and west of the Abadi gas field.

CGGVeritas to do 3D seismic off Guinea for Hyperdynamics

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:40:00 GMT

Hyperdynamics Corp. says it has contracted CGGVeritas to conduct a 3D seismic acquisition and processing project covering about 4,000 sq km (1,544 sq mi) offshore Guinea.

BGP launches new seismic vessel

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:11:00 GMT

BGP has launched its new 3D, 12-streamer seismic vessel BGP Prospector at Sekwang Heavy Industry in Korea.

CGGVeritas completes processing on added Three Corners survey data

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:35:00 GMT

CGGVeritas reports completion of processing on its Three Corners Extension Wide-Azimuth survey in the Gulf of Mexico.

SEG 2011: Statoil, UT formalize R&D partnership

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:00:50 GMT

Timed to come during the Society of Exploration Geophysicists annual meeting, Statoil has signed to fund $1 million per year for five years in an energy partnership agreement with the University of Texas.