Shearwater and ION start second phase of UK North Sea survey

Shearwater GeoServices Holding AS has commenced the second and significantly larger phase of ION Geophysical’s (ION) 11 000 km2 UK Mid North Sea High 3D seismic survey programme using the Oceanic Vega.

Phase two builds on a successful first phase last year, where Shearwater’s acquisition technology and ION’s imaging produced outstanding subsurface images that revealed fresh insights into this promising, underexplored UK province. Completion of phase 2, expected in mid-October, will increase the programme survey area six-fold.

“The second phase of the Mid North Sea High program builds on the success of last year’s survey where advanced acquisition and processing by Shearwater and ION produced outstanding subsurface images revealing fresh insights into this promising, underexplored UK province,” said Irene Waage Basili, CEO of Shearwater.

“We are enthusiastic about starting the second phase of Mid North Sea High, which has been in the works for some time and will start contributing to our earnings this summer,” said Joe Gagliardi, Senior Vice President of ION’s Ventures group. “The UK remains an attractive area for investment with one of the highest global returns per barrel. Until recently, the Zechstein play had been largely overlooked because seismic technology wasn’t able to properly resolve this complex, variable play. This program demonstrates how new high quality data can illuminate and unlock the potential of promising new plays.”

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