For the fourth year in a row Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc (OHM) and TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) have collaborated on an extensive multi-client Controlled Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) acquisition programme; this time in the Barents Sea.
The CSEM survey locations and parameters were decided upon following a detailed analysis of TGS’ multi-client seismic data in the region combined with OHM’s pre-survey planning methodology. Prospect specific survey design is extremely important in the Barents Sea – an area where the geology and transmission requirements for surveys change significantly between prospects. In this type of setting it is vitally important to tailor EM surveys to each prospect by building accurate geo-electric models built on the underlying seismic data; such tailored CSEM surveying will produce meaningful and decision ready images for use by the growing client base for this survey methodology.
The CSEM lines were acquired in record time, with operational efficiency onboard consistently improving, safely – the crew achieving a joint OHM & TGS HSE award, and with near 100% receiver reliability which will lead to high quality results for clients.
In appropriate geologic settings the CSEM method is used to identify highly resistive bodies such as hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs in the subsurface and thereby reduce exploration risk for oil and gas companies.
Dave Pratt, Executive Chairman of OHM, comments:
“Our previous survey programmes with TGS have been very successful and highly popular with clients; OHM and TGS now have a wide range of multi-client CSEM data over 20th round blocks stretching from Møre in the South through to the Barents Sea in the North.
The value to clients from the data is significant, allowing them to better understand prospectivity of blocks as an aid to designing their work programmes for bidding in the 20th licensing round.
I am especially pleased that the Barents Sea survey programme conducted using the OHM Express went extremely well in terms of safety, operational efficiency and data quality.”
Kjell E. Trommestad, VP & General Director of Europe at TGS commented:
“Following the success of our earlier collaborations with OHM, we are really beginning to demonstrate the value benefit that properly planned, executed and interpreted CSEM surveys can bring to clients; the Barents Sea programme will similarly provide valuable information.”