Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc - OHM and TGS complete extensive multi-client CSEM acquisition programme in Barents Sea
03 Jul 2008
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 Min 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."
Contact for further information:
Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc
www.ohmsurveys.com
Andy Overton - Marketing Manager 0870 429 6581
Aquila Financial Ltd
(PR)
Peter
Reilly
0118 979 4100
Notes for editors:
Controlled Source Electro-Magnetic imaging (CSEM) is potentially
the most important new technology in the field of offshore oil
& gas exploration since the advent of 3D seismic some twenty
years ago. CSEM is an innovative offshore geophysical technique,
employing
electromagnetic remote-sensing technology to detect the presence
and extent of hydrocarbon accumulations below the seabed.
The CSEM survey uses a dipole source that is towed just above
the seafloor to transmit an
electromagnetic field into the earth. This field is modified by the
presence of subsurface resistive layers and these changes are
detected and logged by an array of receivers placed
on the seabed. Because hydrocarbon-bearing formations are highly
resistive compared with surrounding formations, a CSEM survey can
indicate the presence of oil and gas in offshore situations.
CSEM imaging can significantly reduce the risk of drilling dry exploration wells creating considerable value for oil & gas explorers.
The technique was first used offshore Angola in 2000 and has since become a key deepwater exploration tool for the major oil companies. Very high success rates have been quoted by these companies, particularly when the results of a CSEM survey have been integrated with seismic interpretation.
Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc listed on London Stock Exchange (AIM:OHM) in March 2004.
