Gene Kliewer • Houston
Survey updates
Somaliland
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. has completed acquisition of two multi-client programs in Somaliland.
Offshore, TGS has acquired approximately 5,100 km (3,169 mi) of 2D seismic, gravity, and magnetic data covering both shallow and deepwater areas. Processing and interpretation should be available by 3Q 2008.
TGS-Nopec survey lines offshore Somaliland.
The Somaliland government announced its intention to hold an open bid round after the data is available.
Canada
NWest Energy Inc. has contracted Geophysical Service Inc. to acquire 3D seismic data over approximately 900 sq km (347 sq mi) off western Newfoundland. The data is to be collected over a six to eight week period in 3Q 2008, pending final approval of the Environmental Assessment by the Canada-Newfoundland Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.
NWest says this will be the first 3D seismic data acquired and analyzed in the emerging western Newfoundland offshore oil play. NWest has identified 11 highgraded targets with a total potential of 3.8 Bbbl in its exploration license area. The 3D seismic program will cover several stacked targets, ranging from 300 MMbbl to 500 MMbbl oil potential. Targets were identified through analysis of existing 2D and other seismic and geological data.
If successful, NWest plans to drill its first well in 2009.
North Sea
Bergen Oilfield Services (BOS) has won a contract from Lundin to undertake a 3D seismic survey in the UK sector.
The project will use theBOS Arctic, BOS’s six-streamer 3D vessel, to gather approximately 250 sq km (97 sq mi) of survey during summer.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has contracted to acquire 2D seismic data in Nordland VII.
BOS also has contracted with the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) to acquire 2D seismic data off Lofoten and Vesteralen in Nordland VII withBOS Atlantic through Sept. 14, 2008.
In addition, NPD work is scheduled to start in mid-June to acquire 3D seismic data in Troms II north of Andøya.
Last summer, the NPD acquired 2D seismic data for about three weeks. This year’s activity will be far more extensive. Seismic data also will be acquired in 2009, if the Storting allocates funds.
A total of $13.6 million was allocated for seismic acquisition in 2007, while the amount for 2008 is $27.2 million.
Barbados
Wavefield Inseis has acquired a 8,000 km (4,971 mi) long offset multi-client 2D seismic survey offshore Barbados in view of Barbados’ first offshore licensing round.
The new Bid Round Schedule has now been confirmed and bid submission deadline is July 6, 2008, with winners to be announced on Aug. 7, 2008.
In addition to this high quality 2D seismic data, gravity and magnetic data also are available.
Australia
CGGVeritas seismic vesselM/V Pacific Titan recently started work on a 2,200-km (1,367-mi) 2D survey in the southern part of 3D Oil’s Bass basin permit T/41P. The survey, expected to take about 20 days to complete, is aimed at maturing four main leads including Dalrymple, a tilted fault block trap, identified from reprocessed data of a 1,500-km (932-mi) 2-D survey completed in 1990.
T/41P covers about 2,805 sq km (1,083 sq mi) in less than 90 m (295 ft) of water. 3D Oil is the operator and 100% owner of T/41P.
PGS runs 3D at Blackwood off Australia
PGS Australia should be nearly complete gathering 3D seismic data over MEO Australia Ltd.’s Blackwood discovery in NT/P68 offshore Australia. The 380-sq km (147-sq mi) survey is designed to improve depth conversion and mapping at Blackwood to define additional drilling. PGS has completed for MEO a 2D program in WA-359-P using theAkademik Fersman. Some 250 line km (155 mi) of 2D data was collected over the Northwest Shelf area. PGS is processing the data. That permit is held by MEO Australia as operator with 60%, Cue Energy Resources with 20%, and Exoil with 20%.
