Geology & Geophysics News

Shell engages drillship for French Guiana wells

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:36:00 GMT

Tullow Oil says a drillship has been contracted for two wells offshore French Guiana.

Deepwater seismic activity spreads through West, East Africa

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:26:00 GMT

African Petroleum (NSX:AOQ) has contracted Prospector Pte (BGP Marine) to acquire seismic surveys on two blocks offshore Cote d’Ivoire.

TGS begins 3D seismic sweep in UK far north

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:29:00 GMT

TGS (TGS:Oslo) has started to acquire 3,210-sq km (1,239-sq mi) of 3D multi-client seismic data over the Erlend basin, west of Shetland.

Serica, BP prepare for offshore Namibia seismic campaign

Mon, 07 May 2012 14:49:00 GMT

The 10-streamer seismic vessel Polarcus Nadia was in Namibian waters last week, ready to start an extensive 3D survey for Serica Energy in the Luderitz basin.

EMGS to do 3D survey offshore Papua New Guinea

Fri, 04 May 2012 13:25:00 GMT

Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA has won a $4-million contract to acquire and process 3D electromagnetic data offshore Papua New Guinea.

Dolphin contracts second newbuild seismic vessel from Sanco

Thu, 03 May 2012 16:01:00 GMT

Multi-client marine gravity gradiometry data acquisition grows

Tue, 01 May 2012 20:54:00 GMT

Few exploration technologies have moved as quickly up the value chain over the last few years as full tensor gravity gradiometry (FTG).

Petrobras continues to build on record of successes

Tue, 01 May 2012 19:24:00 GMT

Discussion of offshore exploration and production in Latin America has to begin with Brazil, where state oil company Petrobras and a growing number of foreign oil companies continue to score drilling successes on a regular basis.

New offshore Kenya survey complete

Tue, 01 May 2012 18:21:00 GMT

The Nanaa 3D seismic survey offshore Kenya in area L8 is complete for operator Apache Corp.

TGS begins multi-client 3D survey in Norwegian Barents Sea

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:53:00 GMT

TGS has started the acquisition of a 3D multi-client survey covering 2,400 sq km (927 sq mi) in the Norwegian Barents Sea.

Artemis Atlantic preparing for Barents Sea 2D seismic survey

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:08:00 GMT

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) is scheduled to start acquiring 2D seismic in the southeastern part of the Norwegian Barents Sea as of this April 26.

WesternGeco introduces new ObliQ broadband seismic technique

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:46:00 GMT

WesternGeco has introduced ObliQ sliding-notch broadband acquisition and imaging technique to enhance low frequencies in marine seismic data without compromising high-frequency data.

Providence sees gas potential in western Ireland license

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:40:00 GMT

Providence Resources has issued an update on prospectivity in Irish Licensing Option 11/12 (LO 11/12).

Spectrum kicks off Amazonas offshore seismic survey

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:30:00 GMT

Spectrum has embarked on the next portion of its multi-client seismic acquisition program offshore Brazil.

Seismic streamer handling simulator placed in operation

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:26:00 GMT

A new tool from Kongsberg Maritime designed to train for deck handling of seismic streamers is now operational at Vestfold University College in Norway.

CGGVeritas to process long-term seismic work offshore Angola

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:59:00 GMT

Total Exploration& Production Angola and Sonangol have awarded CGGVeritas (NYSE:CGV) a five-year contract for 4D seismic processing and imaging of annual and biennial surveys planned for offshore Angola.

First 3D transition zone seismic survey off Turkmenistan begins

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:31:00 GMT

RWE Dea has started a seismic acquisition program on block 23 in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea.

Polar Duchess starts seismic duty in Barents Sea

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:20:00 GMT

Dolphin Geophysical’s new high-capacity 3D vessel Polar Duchess has started work a six-month contract for TGS in the Barents Sea.

PGS orders new version Ramform seismic vessels from Mitsubishi

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:41:00 GMT

Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (OSLO: PGS) has signed for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. to deliver two Ramform vessels in 2013 with an option for as many as two more for delivery in 2015.

Gas prospects emerge from offshore Ireland seismic

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:27:00 GMT

Lansdowne Oil & Gas sees potential for a new gas cluster development off southern Ireland, based on interpretation of a recently processed 3D seismic survey.

Azimuth signs Namibia offshore farm-in agreement

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:51:00 GMT

Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas has signed a farm-out agreement with Bermuda-based Azimuth for three licenses offshore Namibia.

BPZ rules out seismic link to dolphin fatalities off Peru

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:35:00 GMT

BPZ Energy has responded to recent enquiries concerning its seismic activity offshore Peru and a possible link to dolphin deaths.

WGP to study extent of Russian arctic OCS for SMG

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:53:00 GMT

WGP Exploration Ltd. has signed a turn-key contract with State Servmorgeo Co. to study the Mendeleyev Ridge offshore Russian arctic.

Dolphin sets out on 3D seismic survey in deepwater Senegal

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:46:00 GMT

Dolphin Geophysical has signed to acquire, process, and market a 3D multi-client deepwater survey for the Senegalese government.

Apache books drillship for deepwater Kenya well

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:10:00 GMT

Apache Kenya has secured the drillship Deepsea Metro 1 to drill the company’s first deepwater well offshore Kenya.

Mauritania awards deepwater offshore blocks

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:37:00 GMT

Kosmos Energy has signed three production sharing contracts (PSCs) with Mauritania’s government for contiguous offshore blocks C8, C12, and C13.

Dolphin Geophysical christens newbuild vessel Polar Duchess

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:14:00 GMT

Dolphin Geophysical AS has christened the M/V Polar Duchess.

Satellite mission to refine use of gravity data for exploration

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:56:00 GMT

GETECH is researching how to improve effectiveness of satellite-based gravity data for exploration of offshore hydrocarbon-bearing structures worldwide.

BPC improving definition of Bahamas offshore prospects

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:25:00 GMT

Bahamas Petroleum Co. (LON:BPC) has issued an update on its exploration program offshore the Bahamas.

Israeli drilling deadline pushed back to June

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:02:00 GMT

GeoGlobal Resources has completed processing and interpretation of 1,360 sq km (525 sq mi) of 3D seismic over the Myra and Sara licenses offshore Israel.

Shell lines up more wells, 3D data acquisition off French Guiana

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:45:00 GMT

Exploration drilling should resume in mid-year on the Guyane Maritime permit off French Guiana, according to Wessex Exploration.

How to use CSEM to rank prospects

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:13:00 GMT

The exploration industry will pay for information to reduce uncertainty. Marine controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM or simply EM) methods promise such information.

PDIP prospect offshore Newfoundland to get geophysics survey

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:42:00 GMT

Enegi Oil subsidiary PDI Production plans to acquire new seismic over the prospective areas of license EL1070 offshore Newfoundland, under a farm-in arrangement.

Dolphin to add to deepwater Mauritania seismic data

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:28:00 GMT

Dolphin Geophysical of the Dolphin Group ASA (OSE: DOLP), has agreed with the government of Mauritania to acquire additional 2D multi-client seismic data in offshore deepwater.

Morocco license review singles out Apricot prospect

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:41:00 GMT

Longreach Oil & Gas (TSX-V:LOI) has issued resource estimates for the Foum Draa and Sidi Moussa licenses offshore Morocco.

Bayerngas commits to Norway seismic, drilling programs

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:47:00 GMT

Bayerngas Norge has commissioned Fugro-Geoservices to acquire 182 sq km (70 sq mi) of seismic survey data in license PL 635, 100 km (62 mi) west of Florø, Norway.

Noble, Melrose review future of block offshore southern France

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:29:00 GMT

Interpretation is nearing completion of a new 2D seismic survey on the deepwater Rhône Maritime concession offshore southern France.

‘Hub and spoke’ in favor for Cameroon Etinde development

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:24:00 GMT

Bowleven says it has completed processing of data from 3D/4C OBC seismic acquired over parts of its Etinde permit offshore Cameroon.

Rosneft wins local support for Arctic seismic campaign

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:41:00 GMT

Public hearings have concluded in northern Russia on Rosneft’s 2012 Arctic seismic study program.

Nigerian Okwok development could share Ebok facilities

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:17:00 GMT

Afren says processing is under way of a newly acquired OBC 3D seismic survey over the Ebok/Okwok/OML 115 area off Nigeria.

Nanaa 3D seismic completed offshore Kenya

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:24:00 GMT

Apache Corp. has completed the Nanaa 3D seismic survey in L8 offshore Kenya.

SeaBird to conduct 2D seismic acquisition offshore Brazil

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:21:00 GMT

SeaBird Exploration (OSE:SBX) has won a $3-million contract to conduct 2D seismic acquisition in South America for an unnamed major operator.

Irish Barryroe well reveals offshore gas potential

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:35:00 GMT

Providence Resources (AIM:PRV) has completed testing operations on its Barryroe appraisal well off southern Ireland.

Ophir sees presalt analogies to Brazil offshore Gabon

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:16:00 GMT

Ophir Energy says the focus of exploration on its Ntsina and Mbeli concessions off Gabon has turned to the presalt play.

Schlumberger to acquire SPT Group

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:59:00 GMT

Schlumberger has entered into an agreement with Altor Fund II to acquire SPT Group.

Cairn prepares to explore offshore Spain

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Cairn Energy plans to acquire a 1,500-sq km (579-sq mi) 3D seismic survey this year over part of its exploration acreage offshore eastern Spain.

Cairn reviewing offshore Greenland Pitu potential

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:40:00 GMT

Cairn Energy says its main exploration focus offshore Greenland this year will be on its Pitu license in the Baffin Bay area, which Statoil agreed to farm into in January.

Hampson-Russell launches LithoSi addition to HRS-9

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:29:00 GMT

Hampson-Russell Software & Services has released LithoSi, an addition to its recently revamped HRS-9 suite for reservoir characterization.

Hampson-Russell redesigns reservoir characterization suite

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:36:00 GMT

Hampson-Russell Software & Services has released a redesign of its HRS-9 reservoir characterization applications suite.

Adira issues Israel reserves estimate

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:13:00 GMT

Adira Energy has received two independent resource reports on its shallow water Gabriella and Yitzhak licenses offshore Israel.

2D multi-client seismic survey under way offshore West Timor

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:53:00 GMT

Spectrum, in partnership with CGGVeritas and GeoData Ventures, has started a broadband 2D multi-client seismic survey offshore West Timor, Indonesia.

Schlumberger extends UK data management term

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:52:00 GMT

Common Data Access Limited (CDA) has awarded Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) a new five-year contract to operate the CDA DataStore.

Polarcus schedules 3D seismic work offshore Australia

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:55:00 GMT

Polarcus Ltd. (OAX:PLCS) has won a letter of award for a 3D seismic acquisition program offshore Australia.

Worldwide Seismic Vessel Survey

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:52:00 GMT

Worldwide Seismic Vessel Survey

Mozambique, Tanzania emerging as prolific deepwater gas plays

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:43:00 GMT

Mozambique is shaping up as a rival to Australia as a major new source of LNG.

Optical fibers present opportunities and challenges for geophysical applications

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:26:00 GMT

Monitoring oil and gas reservoirs using large-scale, high-fidelity, fiber-optics sensor systems can provide timely, predictive information on reservoir performance.

3D survey data from Floyd survey in Timor Sea for Meo now in processing

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:25:00 GMT

The Veritas Viking II has completed acquiring the Floyd 3D seismic survey for Meo Australia Ltd. (ASX:MEO; OTC:MEOAY) in the Timor Sea.

RXT awarded OBC survey off Norway

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:30:00 GMT

Reservoir Exploration Technology (RXT) has won a contract from an international oil company to conduct an ocean-bottom cable survey offshore Norway.

NPD draws up plans for Barents Sea resource mapping

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:08:00 GMT

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) will map the geology in the northeast of Norway’s newly agreed section of the Barents Sea.

Desire starts Falkland prospect review

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:23:00 GMT

Desire Petroleum has received the final processed 3D seismic volume covering North Falkland basin licenses PL003, PL004 and the majority of PL005.

Chariot expands Namibia 3D offshore seismic data bank

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:03:00 GMT

PGS has completed a 3D seismic acquisition program for Chariot Oil & Gas offshore Namibia.

Next-phase studies continue for Zarat offshore Tunisia

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:51:00 GMT

PA Resources has issued an update on its development programs offshore Tunisia.

Tenders in for Black Sea seismic surveys

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:37:00 GMT

Melrose Resources has received tenders from 12 contractors for a seismic program in the Romanian sector of the Black Sea.

MEO starts another seismic program offshore northern Australia

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:15:00 GMT

The S/R Veritas Viking II has started acquisition of a 3D seismic survey for MEO Australia in the Timor Sea.

BC-10 deepwater oil field offshore Brazil to get life-of-field seismic monitoring

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:31:00 GMT

OYO Geospace has contracted to supply $14.9 million in deepwater seabed seismic reservoir monitoring for the BC-10 field offshore Brazil.

TGS begins 3D multi-client seismic survey offshore Australia

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:18:00 GMT

TGS has begun acquisition of a 3D multi-client survey offshore Australia in the Outer Exmouth Plateau area.

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.

ConocoPhillips plans seismic exploration offshore Bangladesh

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:56:00 GMT

Petrobangla has approved a plan by ConocoPhillips for seismic surveying of Bangladesh's Bay of Bengal offshore blocks in February.

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.