Dana Cain, IHS
Gene Kliewer, Technology Editor, Subsea & Seismic
There will be a continued worldwide emphasis on oil and gas exploration based on the results of this year’s seismic vessel survey done by IHS’sWorld Geophysical News staff. One new company was added to the list and there were a net gain of 22 vessels operating in the worldwide fleet for 2008 compared to 2007.
Adding vessels to the list this reporting period were BGP with three, CGGVeritas with one, Fugro Geoteam with two, Fugro Survey with two, PGS Marine with seven, Wavefield Inseis with one, and WesternGeco with one. The new company added to the list this year is Reservoir Exploration Technologies. RTX added eight vessels to the list.
Deleting vessels from the list were CGGVeritas with one, PGS with two, Fugro Geoteam with one, Fugro Survey with one, SeaBird with one, and Fairfield Industries with one. Delisted this year were the China Ministry of Geology with three boats and KMNG in Azerbaijan with four, due to lack of response and the presumption that those are not commercially available vessels in any case.
In another developing category of exploration vessel, Global Geophysical Services had reported two vessels on prior-year surveys. This year, the company included the remainder of its OBC-related vessels, which added three recording vessels and 15 associated vessels.
Looking at the newly reported vessels in more detail company-by-company we find the following:
BGP – The Atlas, Researcher, and Surveyor went into operation for BGP in 2007. The Atlas is a 64.7 m (212 ft) 2D deepwater vessel. Both the Researcher and Surveyor are 68.5 m (225 ft) long x 13.8 m (45 ft) wide and are 2D capable.
CGGVeritas – Added Viking Vanquish is a new 93.3 m x 22 m (306 ft x 72 ft) 3D vessel with 14-streamer capacity for 3D surveys.
TheViking Vantage is CGGVeritas third Viking-class vessel. It is a high-capacity, multi-streamer, multi-source vessel equipped with integrated geophysical acquisition and onboard processing systems. The vessel was built by Mjellem Karlsen in Bergen, Norway. Photo courtesy CGGVeritas.
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Fugro-Geoteam – The Geo Caribbean is scheduled for a 2008 addition to this fleet. It is designed at 100 m x 26 m (328 ft x 85 ft) with 14 x 6,000 m (19,685 ft) streamer configuration and 4,500-cu in. (73,742-cu cm), dual-source array for a 10.4-sq km (4-sq mi) maximum towable footprint. The Geo Natuna is 70 m x 17 m (230 ft x 56 ft) with 6 x 4,000 m (13,123 ft) streamer configuration limit.
Fugro Survey – Added the Discovery and Searcher to its fleet. The former is a 70 m (230 ft) long x 12.6 m (41 ft) wide 2D vessel. The latter also is a 2D vessel, but measures 65.2 m x 14 m (214 ft x 46 ft).
Global Geophysical submitted two additional recording vessels this year, the NOAA Ferrel and the Seapol One. Available worldwide, these vessels have concentrated in the India market.
PGS Marine Geophysical – PGS leads the way in adding vessels, with five new ones due in operation this year.
- Geo Atlantic: 121 m x 26 m (397 ft x 85 ft); 10 x 480 streamer configuration with 5.4-sq km (2-sq mi) maximum towable footprint
- Laurentian: 84 m x 17 m (276 ft x 56 ft); 6 x 480 streamer configuration with 3-sq km (1.16-sq mi) maximum towable footprint
- Polar Explorer: 92 x 17 m (302 ft x 56 ft); 1 x 640 streamers at 4-sq km (1.5-sq mi)
- Ramform Sovereign: 102 m x 40 m (335 ft x 131 ft); 26 x 480 streamers at 10.4-sq km (4-sq mi)
- Southern Explorer: 92 m x 17 m (302 ft x 56 ft); streamer configuration and coverage is not yet know.
RXT’s newly listed fleet has eight vessels ranging in size. Three of them can run 2D, 3D, and 4C/4D surveys, one is a combined source/cable vessel, and the other four can handle up to 8.6 km (5.3 mi) of VSO cables.
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Wavefield Inseis’ new Geowave Voyager is 2D/3D capable with a 12 x 720 maximum stringer configuration behind a 92.7-m x 22-m (304-ft x 72-ft) vessel.
TheM/V Geowave Master is a large capacity 3D vessel from Wavefield Inseis that was converted during 2007 and rigged for 12 streamer acquisition using new state-of-the-art seismic equipment. It is equipped with Sercel SEAL streamers and Bolt Long Life dual source array. Photos courtesy RXT and Wavefield Inseis.
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WesternGeco has added a Q-marine vessel, Western Spirit. The 82-m x 23- m (269-ft x 75-ft) vessel is deepwater ready and can run 10 x 3,840 streamer configuration with a 10-m long x 12-m wide (33-ft x 39-ft) path. It is capable of 2D, 3D, and 4D/4C acquisitions.
Seismic business
More new vessels are on order or planned.
Eastern Echo has signed shipbuilding contracts with Dubai Drydocks, and design and equipment contracts with Ulstein Design AS for two 12-streamer seismic vessels. Both vessels are the same Ulstein SX 124 (X-Bow) design as the previously announced shipbuilding contracts in Spain for four new builds.
Fugro has contracted BMV (Bergen Yards) in Norway to build a seismic vessel and an ROV/offshore construction support vessel. The seismic vessel will be 108 m (354 ft) long, 28 m (92 ft) in breadth, and have 16 tow points. Delivery is scheduled for August 2010. The other is a DP-2 ROV/construction support vessel 111 m (361 ft) x 24 m (79 ft) for delivery in December 2010.
The vessels are of the same design as the recently launchedGeo Celtic and the two vessels currently under construction at the Bergen Yards, Fugro Saltire (ROV support) and Geo Caribbean (seismic).
The contract also includes an option for a third vessel for delivery in 2011.
