Norwegian shipowner Shearwater GeoServices is collaborating with Norwegian oil companies to develop a new sustainable way of harvesting seismic survey data.
The project involves Equinor, Var Energi and Lundin Energy in a bid to commercialise marine vibratory source technology — “vibroseis” — to minimise environmental footprint and enhance the quality of subsea surveys.
The work will build on the existing technology cooperation between Shearwater, Equinor and the Norwegian Research Council.
The other two oil companies are now joining, bringing more cash to the multi-year project.
“The joint ambition is to acquire better quality seismic data, faster and with low sound energy by harvesting the untapped potential of marine vibratory sources,” said Massimo Virgilio, chief technical officer of Shearwater GeoServices.
“We are investing in this technology as a solution for the energy transition enabling monitoring of carbon storage and efficient exploration and production of energy,” he added.
Geophysical imaging uses sound energy to generate reflections from 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, Shearwater explained.
Nick Ashton, Equinor’s vice president for subsurface solutions technology development, said his company has supported the development for several years.
“We believe this new source technology has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of marine seismic surveys further and to increase survey efficiency. With better control of the frequency, phase and amplitude of the emitted signal, the new source should also provide an improvement in data quality,” he added.
Lundin Energy said the technique could be used in environmentally restricted areas, where the reduced sound levels are favoured.
Var Energi described the project as a potential game-changer.
Shearwater has the world’s largest fleet of high-end seismic vessels.
The company is owned by Rasmussengruppen, Schlumberger and GC Rieber Shipping.
