Gene Kliewer - Houston
OBS to monitor Ekofisk reservoir
ConocoPhillips has contracted Wavefield Inseis subsidiary Optoplan to supply an ocean bottom seismic sensor system to monitor the reservoir at Ekofisk in the North Sea. Installation is scheduled for 2010 and is not contracted.
Elsewhere in the North Sea: The Norwegian government has proposed spending of NOK 200 million ($30.2 million) in 2009 on the continuing geological mapping in Nordland VII and Troms II.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) began mapping Nordland VII and Troms II in 2007 with acquisition of 2D seismic data, and continued in 2008 with acquisition of 2D and 3D data.
The NOK 200-million allocation also covers expenses for associated research on the effect of seismic data acquisition on fish. This research will take place in connection with the acquisition activity in the summer of 2009.
“If the Storting follows up on the resolution to acquire seismic data, we will certainly do our best to follow up such a decision,” says director general Bente Nyland. “The NPD wants to make sure that acquisition activity causes the least possible conflict with fishery activities, and we will plan our activity accordingly.”
The NPD also plays a role in granting permission for seismic surveys. Before starting to collect data, an exploration permit or production license holder submits a notice of its plans to the NDP, the Directorate of Fisheries, the Institute of Marine Research, and the Ministry of Defence. Following consultation about the submission contents with the other officials, the NPD makes a recommendation to the licensee. Usually this recommendation follows those made by the consulting bodies. If the group is negative about the proposed seismic exercises, the NPD contacts the licensee in an effort to amend the plan to meet review standards.
Africa seismic schedules: Chariot Oil & Gas Ltd. has contracted Seabird Geophysical AS and Wavefield Inseis as its external seismic data providers. Seabird is scheduled to kick-off a six-week, 3,000-km (1,864-mi) 2D survey off Namibia over blocks 2312A/B and 2412A/B. Wavefield is scheduled for a 3D survey starting in November over 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq mi) in blocks 2714A/B and 1,500 sq km (578 sq mi) of blocks 1811A/B.
“The competitive tender process was completed on schedule and afforded us a variety of commercial proposals from which to pick,” says Kevin Broger, CEO of Chariot. “This has provided us an opportunity to recommend shooting a much more comprehensive program than we originally had anticipated.”
Mobil Producing Nigeria Unltd. has awarded a multi-year seismic services contract to ION Geophysical Corp. through its GX Technology Imaging Solutions Group. ION says this is its largest ever seismic imaging surveys. ION Geophysical’s GXT will work for Mobil Producing Nigeria as operator of the joint venture with Nigerial National Petroleum Corp./MPN joint venture. GTX and long-time Nigeria partner Bluwark Services Ltd. will provide seismic imaging services for 2C and 4C seabed surveys offshore Nigeria.
Caspian 3D under way:Caspi Meruerty Operating Co. BV has contracted Caspian Services Group for a 3D seismic survey in the Caspian Sea for CMOC. CMOC is a joint venture among JSC Offshore Oil Co. KaxMunayTeniz, Shell EP Offshore Ventures Ltd., and Oman Pearls Co. Ltd.
The program was scheduled to be under way now and take until fall of 2009 to complete. It covers the Pearls contract area of 895 sq km (346 sq mi) in the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea.
According to Caspian Services Inc., part of the work will be subcontracted to Veritas Caspian LLP, a joint venture between CGGVeritas and Kazmorgeophysica.
3D survey started off Vietnam: Mitra Energy Ltd. says it is using the PGS M/V Nordic Explorer to conduct a 3D seismic survey offshore Vietnam on blocks 28 and 29/30. The first phase is expected to be complete this month. The 1,500 sq km (579 sq mi) of survey data comes on the heels of a 2D survey by CGGVeritas over the same area earlier this year.
Artumas Group has completed 3D seismic data processing on the Area One Offshore Block, Mozambique. According to the company, the data shows attractive structures and amplitude anomalies which indicate potential reservoir development. Geophysical mapping will identify high potential prospects and drilling locations at the start of next year, with drilling to start by October 2009.
