Spectrum signs East Greenland reprocessing agreement

 29 September 2010—Spectrum signed an agreement with the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) to reprocess more than 7,800 kms of 2D seismic data offshore the east coast of Greenland. These data will be processed though prestack time migration (PSTM) and subsequently licensed on a multiclient basis.

The data consists of three surveys known as the NAD project, which were acquired during the 1980's offshore East Greenland. The data is located between 62 and 72 north and ties many of the wells drilled by Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) between 1993 and 1995.

Competitive bidding for the area is scheduled in 2012 and 2013, as designated by Greenland's Bureau of Minerals & Petroleum (BMP). The survey area includes the southern part of the East Greenland rift basins. A 2007 U.S Geological Survey (USGS) assessment over this province indicated undiscovered oil and gas reserves of 31,400 MMBOE (million barrels of oil equivalent).

Spectrum reprocessing of vintage 2D seismic data in the India West Coast offshore region was able to effectively image below Tertiary Deccan Basalts and identify and image prebasalt Mesozoic stratigraphic sequences for the first time. It is hoped that by using the same techniques, the East Greenland pre-Tertiary basalt sedimentary section imaging can be improved and subsequently be interpreted.

Spectraseis announces seventh U.S. patent for LF Seismic Technology

01 October 2010—Spectraseis announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued the seventh notice of allowance for a Spectraseis patent application. Previously, Spectraseis has been awarded six US and two European Union (EU) patents with 14 US patent applications still pending at the US Patent and Trademark Office and another 10 applications pending before the European Patent Office.

The issued patents and pending applications cover proprietary technologies that Spectraseis uses for processing low-frequency seismic data as well as tools for better integration and interpretation with other G&G data for exploration and development projects.

The patents issued to Spectraseis thus far include methods for hydrocarbon reservoir mapping, signal analysis, and direct detection of fluid systems within the earth.
The latest applications pending before the US and European patent offices include Spectraseis' new generation of powerful imaging condition methods that separate signal from noise to locate fluids in depth.

Status on Barents Sea multiclient sales

04 October 2010—Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) announced that it has secured late sales worth approximately US $4 million for its multiclient 3D EM data in the Barents Sea, ahead of Norway's 21st exploration licensing round. These revenues will be recognized in the third quarter of 2010.

Industry prefunding and late-sales year-to-date totals approximately US $10 million, of which US $6 million were recognized in the second quarter of 2010.

EMGS's multiclient data library in the Barents Sea covers more than 16,000 km2 of workstation-ready 3D EM data that can be integrated with other subsurface measurements for immediate analysis and evaluation of potentially prospective areas.

TGS announces multiclient 3D survey in Gambia

05 October 2010—TGS announced its first new multiclient 3D survey, offshore Gambia. This project covers 2500 km2 in the deepwater area of Gambia. TGS has chartered the M/V Geo-Caribbean to acquire the data. This project is the first of a series of surveys in the African Transform Margin. The Geo-Caribbean is a modern 3D vessel that will tow 12 long-offset streamers on this project. Specialized data processing will be done at TGS' imaging center in Houston. The Gambia multiclient 3D survey is supported by industry funding.

Eurasia Drilling Company and Schlumberger enter strategic alliance

05 October 2010—Eurasia Drilling Company (Eurasia) and Schlumberger announced have signed a letter of intent to sell and purchase each other’s drilling and service assets, while entering a strategic alliance in the CIS. Schlumberger has agreed to sell all drilling, sidetrack and workover rigs currently operating mainly in West Siberia to Eurasia. As part of the sale, the rigs’ crews will transfer to Eurasia. Schlumberger has also agreed to purchase the Eurasia drilling services businesses, which include the directional drilling, measurement while drilling, cementing, and drilling fluids services to support 80 rigs. The field crews to support delivery of these services will move to Schlumberger. In addition, Schlumberger and Eurasia have agreed to enter a strategic alliance upon completion of the transaction whereby Schlumberger becomes the preferred supplier of drilling services to Eurasia Drilling for up to 200 rigs for a five-year period.

New Appointment at GeoAcoustics

04 October 2010—On 27 September Tom Hiller was appointed as business development manager at GeoAcoustics, A Kongsberg company based in Great Yarmouth, UK.

Since joining the Kongsberg family, GeoAcoustics has launched a new range of the GeoSwath Plus swath mapping sonars. This new range is designed specifically for man-portable autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) applications; the first unit for integration into a Hydroid Remus 100 AUV (also a Kongsberg Maritime company) has been ordered and will be shipped before Christmas.

The new digital side scan system from GeoAcoustics has also recently been launched. This is called the Sonar 2094 Digital. It digitizes the sonar signal at the towfish and has a 24 bit dynamic range, removing the need for time varied gain (TVG) or automatic gain control (AGC) before recording the raw data, steps which can interfere with automated side scan image processing and target recognition. The fully digital system allows digital processing and filtering, optimizing the pulse length for each range setting, and reducing background noise effects. All this applied technology gives the customer an increased sonar range and resolution over what was possible with the old analogue electronics. The technology also allows simultaneous dual-frequency (500kHz/100kHz) operation, and even simultaneous asynchronous operation is now possible, with each frequency set for a different range.

EMGS awarded Shetland survey by TOTAL and DONG

06 October 2010—Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA signed a contract worth approximately US $1.5 million with Total E&P UK Ltd and DONG Energy to acquire 3D electromagnetic (EM) data in the West of Shetland area on the UK Continental Shelf. Total has established a portfolio of exploration and development interests in this area and the 3D EM data acquired by EMGS will be used to derisk a hydrocarbon prospect.
The 3D EM survey has already started using EMGS's mobile acquisition set deployed from the vessel Siem Mollie, thereby extending the charter on this vessel from 1 to 21 October.

Vicki J. Cowart to receive 2010 Ian Campbell Medal

07 October 2010—Vicki J. Cowart has been named the 29th recipient of the Medal in honor of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the geosciences. Cowart will be presented this prestigious award at the Geological Society of America Presidential Address Ceremony in Denver, Colorado on 30 October 2010.

Cowart earned a BS in physics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a M.S. in geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines. After receiving her degrees she spent 16 years in the petroleum industry. First she worked as an exploration geophysicist for Mobil (now ExxonMobil) then an exploration manager for ARCO and finally as a technical sales and operations manager for Schlumberger Ltd. After working in industry, she served as the Colorado State Geologist from 1993–2003 where she was instrumental in establishing the Survey's geologic mapping program and secured funding from the state legislature for both the survey and its Avalanche Information Center. Currently, Cowart is the President and CEO for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.

In addition to the Ian Campbell Medal, Cowart has received many awards and distinctions including; the Colorado School of Mines' Distinguished Achievement Medal, the AIPG John T. Galey, Sr. Memorial Public Service Award, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Distinguished Public Service to the Earth Sciences Award, the Association for Women Geoscientists Distinguished Service Award, and the Colorado Citizens' Leadership Excellence Award.

Throughout her career, Cowart has served in many leadership roles within the geoscience community. She helped found the Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG) where she served as its first National President and was critical in the development of the AWG Foundation. During her tenure as Colorado State Geologist, Cowart was active in the Association of American State Geologists (AASG), served as treasurer, vice-president, and president of that organization, and continues as an Honorary Member. Cowart is also a member of the Colorado School of Mines Board of Trustees.