Apache looking at Western Australian permit

A 3D seismic survey over Albania’s Durresti block will lead to an appraisal drilling program in 2012, says San Leon.

The 3D program targeted a number of prospective structures in the block, including the A4-1X discovery, in preparation for 2012 appraisal drilling.

San Leon also is exploring potential multiple plays adjacent to A4-1X, targeting both oil and gas.

This underexplored area is on the Apulian margin,which extends from Italy into Albania. Southern San Leon holds a 75% interest in the block and is the operator. Beach Energy holds the remaining 25% interest.

TGS charters vessel from CGGVeritas

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. is reprocessing 2D seismic data from the Makassar Strait, Indonesia. Phase I covers 2,700 km (1,678 mi) of data from the Northern Mahakam Delta. The purpose of the reprocessing is to enhance direct hydrocarbon indicators and amplitude versus offset anomalies associated with turbidites indicated on the original 2D data. Results of this first phase are scheduled to be available in 3Q 2011.

TGS has signed a letter of intent with CGGVeritas to charter a high capacity vessel for 3D multi-client projects in Europe during the 2011 summer season. The charter was scheduled to begin before the end of April and will last for approximately four months. The agreement also provides an option for TGS to extend the charter in two six-month increments under fixed commercial terms. The details of the individual projects to be completed under this charter were not released.

Fugro buys TSmarine, takes delivery of new vessel

Fugro N.V. has acquired TSmarine Group Holdings Pty. Ltd. The acquisition will be renamed Fugro-TSM.

TSM specializes in subsea construction, IRM, and light well intervention. It has ROVs and diving services as well as four chartered vessels in its fleet.

At the same time, Fugro took formal delivery of a newbuild survey vessel theFugro Galaxy, the second in a series. The vessel is equipped for site and route survey tasks for installation of pipelines, platforms, manifolds, and other seabed structures, according to Fugro. 

Polarcus takes Samur

Polarcus Samur Ltd has taken delivery of thePolarcus Samur, the fourth 3D seismic vessel to date to join the Polarcus fleet. The vessel was built at Drydocks World – Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and heads directly to Namibia on a charter for HRT Participações em Petróleo S.A. and UNX Energy Corp.

The vessel is an arctic-ready, eight-streamer 3D seismic vessel of the ULSTEIN SX133 design capable of towing both conventional and wide tow spreads. The SX133 design has an overall length of approximately 84 m (275 ft) and a beam of 17 m (55 ¾ ft).Polarcus Samur has a maximum speed of 17 knots and is capable of deploying up to eight streamers each of 6,000 m (19,685 ft) length, or six streamers each of 8,000 m (26,247 ft) length, with lateral streamer separations of between 25 and 200 m (82 and 656 ft).