TGS & Schlumberger Start Dual Coil Surveys in Gulf of Mexico

TGS and Schlumberger announce commencement of the Dual Coil Shooting* multivessel full-azimuth acquisition Revolution XII and XIII surveys in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The surveys will cover approximately 7,150 km2 (306 blocks) in the Green Canyon, Atwater Valley and Ewing Bank protraction areas of the Central Gulf of Mexico.

The Revolution Xll and XIII surveys will be acquired using the Schlumberger WesternGeco Q-Marine* point-receiver marine seismic system combined with the proprietary multivessel, Dual Coil Shooting acquisition technique, which will provide broadband, long-offset, full-azimuth data. This combination of leading-edge technology and technique will improve illumination and imaging of the sub-salt and other complex geologic features in this highly active region. Acquisition is expected to complete in late Q1 2017 with final processed data available in early 2018.

"TGS is excited to return to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to continue its successful collaboration with WesternGeco. Together we have a strong track record of success in developing and delivering projects in this prolific part of the Central Gulf of Mexico. Our cooperation started in 2008 with acquisition of the Freedom WAZ survey and was followed later by the Liberty WAZ and Patriot M-WAZ surveys. The Revolution XII and XIII surveys benefit from the latest advances in seismic technology and will provide the E&P industry with critical information to support exploration and drilling activity in a region that is expected to remain a priority for our customers," commented Kristian Johansen, CEO, TGS.

These new Revolution Dual Coil Shooting full-azimuth surveys will record offsets of more than 14 km for imaging below the salt in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. In this latest generation of Revolution surveys, autonomous marine vehicles (AMV) are being deployed. These AMVs will simultaneously acquire ultra-long offsets of more than 20 km, which benefit full waveform inversion in the accurate velocity model building over such complex subsalt areas.

"With these new techniques, we expect to see further improvements in sub-salt imaging and amplitude fidelity for reservoir characterization providing value for our customers," commented Maurice Nessim, President, WesternGeco.

This project is supported by industry funding.