Business news for the week of 19 December 2011 News section front Past news briefs Seismic crew survey reports

ION completes seismic data acquisition in the Marcellus Shale ClearfieldSCAN program to help E&P operators optimize drilling and completion

19 December 2011—ION Geophysical Corporation has successfully acquired 235 m² of new 3D multiclient seismic data in the Marcellus shale play in central Pennsylvania. Known as ClearfieldSCANTM, the survey is part of ION's library of ResSCANSTM 3D multiclient seismic data programs, managed by ION's GeoVenturesTM group. Acquired using the INOVA FireFly cableless acquisition system and VectorSeis digital sensors, the P- and C-wave data is being processed by ION's GX Technology (GXT) group using advanced data processing techniques. GXT will also perform seismic attribute analysis and provide other interpretation deliverables.

 

EMGS and Schlumberger announce EM industry deal

19 December 2011—EMGS and Schlumberger have announced their intention to enter into a cooperative agreement effective from 3 January 2012 in which the parties will offer their respective expertise in the marine electromagnetic related fields of processing, advanced modeling, and earth model building.

Schlumberger will immediately withdraw from the on-going patent disputes in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and the European Patent Office.

Schlumberger and EMGS have further entered into a cross-license of patents relevant to the CSEM acquisition business.

 

EMGS to mobilize the EM Leader in Asia

20 December 2011—Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) announced its decision to mobilize the vessel EM Leader in response to increased market demand in Asia.

EMGS has received a Letter of Intent from a major international oil company for a six-week 3D EM data acquisition project offshore Brunei. Surveying is expected to start in early February, following modifications of the EM Leader to accommodate EMGS's equipment and technology.

 

TGS commences a second 3D multiclient seismic Ssurvey offshore Northwest Australia

20 December 2011—TGS has commenced acquisition of a new 3D multiclient seismic survey, Mary Rose Northeast, which covers 3,100 km²over the Exmouth Plateau in the Carnarvon Basin, offshore NW Australia.  This survey is located over parts of blocks WA-365-P, WA-346-P, and W10-21 to the northeast of the previously announced NW Australia survey (Mary Rose) in October 2011. Upon completion of this survey, the TGS portfolio of 3D multiclient coverage in this area offshore Australia will exceed 11,500 km².

The seismic data is being acquired by the M/V Geo Atlantic and will be complete in early 2012. A fast track volume will be available to the industry in mid 2012 with final data available for the full survey in late 2012.