CGG has received a Letter of Award for a large, high-end seismic acquisition program off West Africa. The survey will mobilize the Geo Coral, Geo Barents and Pacific Finder vessels to conduct a 1484sq km BroadSeis, wide-azimuth survey…
SeaBird Exploration Plc announced today that M/V Geo Pacific was awarded a new contract in the Caribbean. The work is estimated to require 63 days and the contract value is about US$12 million. M/V Geo Pacific is the latest vessel added to Seadrill's fleet…
Andrew McBarnet assesses the state of the marine seismic business and where it is going in 2013.Rarely, if ever, can the marine seismic business have been so busy in so many places around the world. Demand for surveys is nearly at an almost all-time high…
Andrew McBarnetIf there was such a thing as an annual horoscope for the marine seismic and related geophysical businesses, then in the coming year we can expect at least some improvement on 2012. In other words, unless there is some totally unexpected destabilizing economic…
Andrew McBarnet finds an optimistic atmosphere at the recent SEG annual international meeting in Las Vegas.Judging from the mood of the crowd at last month’s SEG Annual International Meeting, the marine seismic business is in a good space…
The new year of 2012 does not offer great tidings of comfort and joy for the marine seismic business. Andrew McBarnet explains why.Contemplating prospects for 2012, there is a discernible air of frustration, even resignation, in the marine seismic community…
Andrew McBarnet offers this kaleidoscope of impressions from a major gathering of the geoscience community.At the end of any big industry event like last month's annual conference and exhibition of the European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers (EAGE) in Copenhagen…
A rising tide of seismic demand has quite suddenly changed the conversation in the marine seismic community. Andrew McBarnet explains why.It’s amazing sometimes how quickly the clouds can clear. Just a month or two ago marine seismic companies were forecasting another flat year…
Andrew McBarnet reviews some of the history of Norwegian marine seismic ventures to assess the aspirations of the latest entrant into the market.The launch of yet another Norwegian-inspired company dedicated to making its mark on the marine seismic business is so déjà vu…
It’s amazing how little it takes for perspective on a business to change more or less overnight and be seen through a completely fresh set of lenses. Andrew McBarnet reviews some surprising developments.A month or so ago at the annual meeting…
One or two recent asides from major seismic contractor bosses implies that they expect that the global seismic fleet to move closer to some kind of equilibrium next year where the supply of vessels is no longer so out of kilter with the demand for survey work…
Andrew McBarnet suggests that the major marine seismic players are favourites to win in a crowded market.You would never realise it from the current crop of financial results and muted forward-looking statements from CEOs of marine seismic vessel operators…
Andrew McBarnet detects a shift of emphasis in the marketing of marine seismic.The marine seismic industry is well used to the cyclical nature of its operations, but could currently be described as being in something of a state of limbo. This…
Operating in the marine seismic environment requires the ability to constantly adapt and chase down the opportunities. Andrew McBarnet describes how fortunes tend to favour the big rather than the brave.It’s business as usual’ has got to be something of a misnomer in commercial life…
The marine seismic industry chalked off 2009 as a year to forget, but Andrew McBarnet suggests that 2010 won't be a whole lot better.Making predictions is a mug's game. We all know it, but we all do it. And if you're in a business like marine seismic…