Adriatic survey ready

A Calabrian Arc non-exclusive 2D seismic survey in the Mediterranean Sea is now available, according to Fugro-Geoteam and Wavetech Geophysical. The survey was acquired by the MV Geobaltic and covers 3,345 km in the southern part of the Italian Adriatic from the "heel" of Italy to Malta. The survey is on strike with three oil provinces:

Sicily-Malta Channel (Tertiary and Mesozoic)
Appenine Foredeep (compressional structures)
Adriatic Shelf (folded structures).

The survey ties in a deepwater well - Alexis 2 - that bottomed in Triassic carbonates. More information can be obtained from Fugro-Geoteam (Tel: +47-22-13-46-95) or Wavetech (Tel: 1-303-534-3383).

Fugro-Geoteam and Wavetech Geophysical completed the 3,345 km Calabrian Arc 2D survey south of Sicily and Italy.

Click here to enlarge image

Brazilian program

A 50,000-sq-km multi-client seismic program in Espirito Santo and Campos basins off Brazil's Atlantic coast has been awarded to PGS do Brasil, a subsidiary of Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (PGS). "Availability of high quality deepwater 3D seismic data has been recognized as a critical success factor for the development of this region," explains Sergio Possato, Super intendent for Data and Technical Information. "With new 3D data will come new exploration and discoveries, which will help operators reach their production goals."

Bjarte Bruheim, PGS President and COO, commented: "Brazil is very strategic to our multi-client portfolio. The region is opening up quickly." The Ramform Vanguard will begin collecting the survey in late August or early September.

The Ramform Vanguard will collect a 50,000 sq km multi-client seismic program in Espirito Santo and Campos basins offshore Brazil.

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North Sea survey

Aker Geo, a subsidiary of Aker Maritime, received a contract for a 500-sq-km 3D survey over Blocks 8/19, 8/20 and 8/25 in the UK sector of the North Sea. The survey is for Agip UK and will be gathered by the CGG Alize which Aker leased for the project. Survey shooting began in June.

Borehole launch

CGG's Borehole Services Division announced the commercial launch of MicroSeistrademark, a new innovative method of reservoir management. The service uses the naturally occurring or induced micro-seismic activity in the oil field to map fractures, monitor fluid-front movement, and define flow anisotropy. The service will provide the initial survey planning and engineering, followed by the supply and installation of downhole permanent or wireline monitoring sensors. The acquisition, processing, and interpretation of the data can be in 2D, 3D, or 4D configurations. More information can be obtained by contacting Roger Shears (Tel: +44-1689-882972).

Seismic integration

A cross-platform integration tool designed to move seismic data and interpretations between Unix and Windows NT operating systems has been developed by Halliburton's Landmark Graphics. The tool, known as SeisXchange 4.7trademark, will allow interpretations done in SeisWorkstrademark, EarthCubetrademark, and SeisVisiontrademark to be moved among different computer systems. This permits oil companies to create an integrated computing environment using different computer systems.

The most appropriate and cost-effective computers and software can then be used to meet processing needs.

Log-based geochemistry

A software module, LogGeoChemtrademark, has been developed by Terrasciences for the computation of petroleum source rock values. The module can define kerogen type, quantity, and thermal maturation of the petroleum source rock using standard density, sonic, and resistivity well logs.

Log-based evaluations compare favorably with standard laboratory techniques. More information can be obtained from James Lancaster (Tel: 1-303-770-2727 or Email: [email protected]).

Miocene study

A multi-client study of the Miocene section of the Gulf of Mexico is available from PGS Reservoir (US). The study was done is conjunction with QC Data, Inc and Paleo-Data, Inc who provided well logs and biostratigraphic control. Seismic data was provided by Jebco through GeoData Corp. The study, "Distal Miocene Project-Offshore Texas," includes cross-sections, isopach maps, sand percent maps, and paleo-bathymetric maps for key stratigraphic intervals. "This study sets the stage for the next phase of exploration in the Western Gulf of Mexico," said Allen Bertagne, Vice President - Geoscience for PGS Reservoir. "With an improved understanding of sand distribution and thickness, companies will be able to focus on areas with the largest upside potential." For more information, contact PGS in Houston (Tel: 281-589-7935; Fax: 281-589-1482).

Developers network

Landmark Graphics has created a website for Open Workstrademark developers. Named the Open Works Developers Network (ODN), the site was created to augment current support offerings. Its key functions are rapid answers to technical and business questions, new software updates, and information sharing between developers around the world. The site can

be accessed through Landmark's website:www.lgc.com, and does not require a password or login information.

Millennium atlas

A major atlas of the North Sea is being prepared by Statoil and over twenty other companies. The 21 chapter volume will have information on 270 oil and gas wells, a geo logical history of the North Sea basin, and will display seismic sections. Geoscientists from universities and government agencies in Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom are contributing to the text. Publication of the 10 kg volume is scheduled for next year. A CD-ROM version is also planned.

Y2K in August 1999

Millennium bug problems will be felt even before the major rollover at the end of 1999. There is a major problem "scheduled" for August 22, 1999. This is the date when global positioning satellites (GPS) will experience an end-of-week (EOW) rollover. Any non-Y2K compliant GPS receiver will fail at that time.

September 9, 1999 is not a problem, according to Y2K experts, computer program end codes not withstanding. GPS is used extensively in offshore marine operations for the oil, gas and servicing components of the industry. The US Minerals Management Service has advised all Gulf of Mexico operators and contractors to visit the following websites: