Shallow-water seismic acquisition to begin off Ecuador

SMG to use Fairfield Z-700 ocean-bottom nodes

Fairfield Industries’ Z-700 nodes

Russia’s Federal State Unitary Scientific & Production Company for Marine Geological Prospecting (State SEVMORGEO Company or SMG) has contracted UK-based WGP Exploration Ltd. to acquire seismic data off the coast of Ecuador. The scope of work includes 2D and 3D surveys in transition zone and shallow waters, for which SMG will utilize Fairfield Z-700 ocean-bottom nodes (OBN), in combination with portable sources provided and operated by WGP and installed on vessels of opportunity.

The Z-700 nodes are cable-free, autonomous recording units (ARU) designed and manufactured by Sugar Land, Texas-based Fairfield Industries to operate in shallow water to 700 m. Individual Z-700 nodes can acquire seismic data continuously for as long as 15 days, and there are no restrictions on receiver interval or the number of receiver lines deployed.

The surveys are scheduled to begin 14 February and last until 15 June 2013, with pre-mobilization underway.

WGP, based in Bude, Cornwall, was acquired by Thalassa Holdings, registered in the British Virgin Islands, in late 2011. Thalassa’s Chairman, Duncan Soukup, commented: “We are again delighted to be working with the SMG Group, following the successful surveys in the Arctic in 2011 and 2012, on this occasion outside of Europe.”