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…
Artemis AtlanticAnadarko has struck a deal with Dolphin Geophysical for a 2D seismic survey offshore South Africa, Dolphin announced on 7 November 2012.Dolphin Geophysical will utilize its Artemis Atlantic vessel to acquire data over an 6…
ITF, the global industry technology facilitator, was set up in 1999 and is today owned by 30 major operating and service companies from around the globe, Qatar Petroleum having become the latest recruit in July. Meg Chesshyre talked to chairman…
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…
UK to resume fracking with control measures The UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced on 13 December that hydraulic fracturing can resume although the practice will be subject to new controls.The new controls announced…
Atle Jacobsen, CEO of Dolphin GeoDolphin Geophysical racks up North Sea work Dolphin Geophysical has been awarded several contracts for the upcoming North Sea season. The awards are for both 3D and 4D seismic services and will involve three…
'After a strategic review Fugro basically decided to exit the capital intensive and volatile seismic segment of the oil & gas exploration market where it does not have a leading market position. It spotted that most seismic companies had indicated fleet expansion plans in the immediate future…
The need for enhanced redundancy and proper deck arrangements to ensure continuous operation of seismic vessels without loss of speed is the backbone of new technical requirements developed by DNV in consultation with key industry players such as WesternGeco…
No-one seems to have fathomed out the depth of the potential market for seabed-based seismic surveys. Andrew McBarnet reviews the state of play.Sometimes the surf seems to be up, but those big waves that make the surf boarders’ day just don’t quite materialise…
A prediction of an oil price slump in less than a decade prompts Andrew McBarnet to onder on the prevailing wind currently favouring the marine seismic business.Possibly the most provocative oil industry analysis to surface in the last few months emanates from the portals of academia…
CGGVeritas marine seismic operations have undergone a major modernisation programme and the introduction of new technology. Andrew McBarnet reviews progress.Something of a Gallic flourish can be detected about the CGGVeritas multi-client survey in the Keathley Canyon area of the US Gulf of Mexico…
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…
Sercel has expanded its marine seismic equipment offering with the launch of the Sentinel RD, the latest generation of its Sentinel solid streamer. With over 4000km of streamers delivered to more than 60 seismic vessels worldwide since its introduction in 2005…
Seismic surveys with increased bandwidth are the way forward. There will be some winners and losers, reports Andrew McBarnet.Talk about the boss ignoring the spoiler alert. In the last few weeks new Schlumberger CEO Paal Kibsgaard has been…
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…