WesternGeco begins 3D multiclient survey in Barents Sea

WesternGeco announced today that it has begun acquisition of the Bjørnøya Phase I “Ice Bear” 3D multiclient survey in the highly prospective West Loppa area of the Barents Sea.

Following previous surveys in the area, the Ice Bear survey will extend the existing WesternGeco West Loppa datasets to the North and West.

“The study area is located on the rim of the Bjørnøya Basin, on the west flank of the Loppa High and includes a large downthrown terrace in the North together with other Jurassic faulted structures, all of which have potential,” said Phil Davey, WesternGecoEurope & Africa GeoSolutions manager, “Other, separate, but still promising features are seen in the southwestern part of the survey area.”

Building on previous 2D datasets, the Ice Bear survey will consist of approximately 2500 km² of 3D seismic data, acquired using 10 X 7 km streamers. Advanced acquisition techniques coupled with demultiple processing using the WesternGeco 3D GSMP* General Surface Multiple Prediction technology will provide high-quality 3D data.

The potential in the Barents sea has already been proved; Total EP Norge AS, discovered 10 - 50 billion m³ of gas in production license 535, about 250 km north of Melkøya. The license was awarded in the 20^th licensing round in 2009.

Acquisition commenced on July 10, 2011, and the fast-track data will be available in November 2011 in time for nominations for the 22^nd Norwegian Licensing Round. The final processed data will be available for licensing in March 2012 in advance of the applications for the 22nd Norwegian Offshore Licensing Round. Companies are invited to contact WesternGeco to discuss their interest in this program.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/18082011/westerngeco_begins_3d_multiclient_survey_in_barents_sea/