Sercel has been awarded a contract by BGP to supply land seismic equipment for a large onshore 3D seismic survey in the Middle East. The contract includes 100,000 Sercel 508XT channels equipped with strings of 12 SG-10 geophones. Sercel said in a media release that “this large-scale 3D project encompasses several diverse environments, including areas with limited access, such as industrial complexes, agricultural land and urban areas. The 508XT system is an ideal choice for these challenging conditions: its unique fault-tolerant cross-technology (X-Tech®) architecture, including local storage and automatic data rerouting, simplifies field operations and enables continuous acquisition.
Company Updates
Quadrant Energy applies for Bedout seismic permit
Quadrant Energy has applied to NOPSEMA to conduct a seismic survey in the Bedout sub-basin offshore Australia. Quadrant Energy, which was recently acquired by Santos, is eager to acquire additional subsurface data for further appraisal of identified hydrocarbons in several reservoirs within the Bedout sub-basin. NOPSEMA said the proposed Keraudren seismic survey would be conducted approximately 118km off Port Hedland in water depths of 50m to 150m. The survey is in permits WA-435-P, WA-436-P, WA-437-P and WA-438-P and covers a total area of 5,539 km2, including vessel ramp up zones.
Polarcus and PGS set for court stoush over patent claim
Polarcus has accepted service of court proceedings filed by PGS Australia Pty Ltd relating to the acquisition of seismic data on three surveys in Australia and the processing of that data. Polarcus said proceedings had followed three years of intermittent correspondence from PGS “in response to which Polarcus, supported by leading patent counsel, provided overwhelming evidence that Polarcus’ activity did not intersect PGS’ patent. “The claim will be vigorously contested and has no impact on any project outside Australia,” Polarcus added.
CGG and OMV continue cooperation with Multi-Year extension of dedicated Centre
CGG has announced that its contract with OMV to operate a dedicated centre at its head office in Vienna has been renewed and will run for a further three years. During this period OMV will continue to benefit from onsite access to CGG’s subsurface imaging and reservoir characterization expertise and technology. The support given by the centre to image and interpret OMV’s geophysical data and the collaborative spirit in which the teams work together will help to provide greater insight into OMV’s worldwide acreage, CGG said.
Shell exits upstream operations in Ireland
Shell has exited the upstream sector in Ireland with the sale of its interest in the Corrib gas project to Nephin Energy for US$1.3 billion. The Corrib natural gas field is located approximately 83km off the northwest coast of Ireland, 3,000 meters under the seabed and in water depths of 350 meters. Initial field development started on December 30, 2015 comprising six subsea wells. Gas is transported via an 83 km pipeline to an onshore gas processing terminal and then exported via the Bord Gais Eireann link line to the Irish gas grid.
Tap sells Carnarvon basin offshore licence to Santos
Tap Oil has entered into a sale and purchase agreement for the sale of its 22.474% non-operated interest in WA-33-R in the offshore Carnarvon basin of WA. Tap said the development was consistent with its strategy to monetize and rationalise its Australian portfolio and pursuant to the terms of the SPA, the company’s subsidiary, Tap Shelfal, will sell its interest in WA-33-R to its joint venture partners Quadrant Oil and Santos with Tap Shelfal’s interest being split between the buyers 12.361% and 10.113%, respectively. Santos already has an 18.
Eni given green light to drill appraisal well in the Barents Sea
Eni Norge has been granted a permit to drill an appraisal well in the Barents Sea offshore Norway. The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) said the Italian oil and gas giant had received permission for the 7122/7-7 S well to be drilled from the West Hercules rig after it had wrapped up drilling of wildcat well 7324/3-4 for Equinor in production license 615. This follows a gas discovery by Equinor in production license 615, which is located near to the Atlantis gas discovery in the Barents Sea, from the West Hercules rig.
BP brings Clair Ridge to life 41 years after oil discovery
BP, in partnership with Shell, ConocoPhillips and Chevron, has begun first oil production from the Clair Ridge project in the West Shetland, offshore the United Kingdom. The supermajor said that Clair Ridge was the second phase of development of the Clair field, located 75km West of Shetland, which had been discovered in 1977 and has an estimated seven billion barrels of hydrocarbons BP said that two new bridge-linked platforms and oil and gas export pipelines have been constructed as part of the Clair Ridge project. The new facilities, which required capital investment in excess of £4.
APPEA’s Brighter community
An initiative by APPEA, the Brighter program is a new way of talking to Australians about the role natural gas plays in their everyday life. ‘From gas-powered ships and the best public BBQs to the role industry plays in STEM education and supporting small businesses, the Brighter program exists to draw out and champion the positive stories surrounding Australian natural gas. APPEA will be telling these stories through stakeholders and local communities, through an array of digital channels, at local forums, through creative media and at live events.
Ichthys LNG is officially opened
Japan’s INPEX has officially opened the onshore LNG processing facilities of the Ichthys LNG project. Japanese, Australian and Northern Territory government representatives unveiled a plaque to commemorate four decades of future natural gas benefits that will flow from Ichthys LNG to the Northern Territory, Japan and the Asia Pacific region. First gas was produce in July this year and the first LNG cargo ship set sail in October. Hiroshige Sekō, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator the Hon.