In conjunction with geophysical and geochemical surveys currently being acquired by sister company Searcher Seismic, Ecosscope is using cutting edge technology to acquire valuable environmental baseline data in the Gulf of Papua.
Ecosscope and project partners Blue Ocean Monitoring and Gardline Marine Sciences deployed an autonomous subsea glider to collect information on the environmental and oceanographic conditions in the Gulf.
The glider is conducting an extensive dive campaign, relaying data in near real-time to the survey vessel and onshore personnel. While principally targeting subsea seeps, the glider is collecting water column data on hydrocarbon content, chlorophyll, dissolved organic matter, turbidity, conductivity, temperature, water depth and currents.
The data is being analyzed and interpreted by specialist scientists back in Perth.
Environmental data is traditionally acquired via separate, costly, bespoke surveys conducted much later in the planning phase.
The approach taken during the current surveys is to collect important background environmental data concurrently with early-phase exploration to leverage the cost efficiencies often overlooked. Coupled with proprietary bathymetric, oceanographic and sediment information acquired previously, this new environmental baseline data will assist companies working in the Gulf of Papua to cost-effectively plan their activities, obtain regulatory approvals and monitor compliance.
The combined data set is available under license on a multi-client, non-exclusive basis.