Vår Energi and Lundin Energy join project to minimise environmental footprint of seismic data acquisition

The industry project builds on the existing technology cooperation between Shearwater, Equinor and the Norwegian Research Council, with Vår Energi and Lundin Energy Norway now joining and ensuring funding and commitment for the multi-year development.

Geophysical subsurface imaging uses sound energy to generate reflections from geological formations below the ocean floor. By selecting only the necessary sound frequencies and emitting gradually over time and space, marine vibroseis potentially allows optimal signal strength and direction towards subsurface targets, enabling surveys to be shorted in duration and with low sound emissions.

Vidar Danielsen, Head of Geophysical Operations at Lundin Energy Norway, explained: “Lundin Energy Norway entered into this project to support the development of a seismic marine vibrator source with a less environmental impact than today’s conventional sources. This technology allows tuning of the signal direction and also the combination of several vibroseis sources to reduce the time a survey takes to acquire, in other words, acquiring a seismic survey faster and more efficiently. The new source may also be used in environmentally restricted areas, where the reduced sound emission levels are favored."

Gjertrud Halset, R&D Manager at Vår Energi, said: “This project fits our R&D strategy and falls into the top-priority technology gaps and challenges we have identified. The project also matches our plans for becoming the leading ESG company on the Norwegian Continental shelf. Replacing traditional technology would revolutionize the seismic survey process and strengthen our sustainability performance.”

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Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/25012022/vr-energi-and-lundin-energy-join-project-to-minimise-environmental-footprint-of-seismic-data-acquisition/