Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) has entered into a data-sharing agreement with the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Norway for use of surplus data collected during seismic acquisition to improve understanding of the world’s oceans.
The deal was announced on 29 June and follows on an announcement PGS made in March of plans to open its database for research on the ocean.
Since 1991, PGS has acquired seismic data of the ocean subsurface worldwide to find oil and gas reserves. Its extensive multiclient data library, which the company says is the largest in the world, comprises more than 650 000 km2 of 3D data and more than 475 000 line km of 2D seismic. The surplus ocean data include temperatures and salinity through the water column, depths, currents, and weather observations.
PGS said in an investor presentation on 14 June that oil companies are investing more in producing fields and fields under development. The number of 4D production seismic projects will double in 2017 compared to 2016, and is expected to increase further next year with the North Sea, West Africa, and Brazil regions showing increases. The company said it will do more than 50% of the global 4Ds for 2017.
Geir Huse, research director at the Institute of Marine Research, said, “PGS surplus data gives us access to information through the water column, down to approximately 2000 m from many different places, which is valuable from a scientific perspective. We look forward to put these data sets into use.”
The Norwegian Shipowners' Association has invited the whole Norwegian fleet numbering more than 1,700 vessels to take part in the project and share their surplus data of the oceans. Measured by fleet value, Norway is the world’s sixth-largest shipping nation.
"Today we know more about the surface of the Moon than our own seabed", said Sturla Henriksen, CEO of NSA. "The oceans are holding vast arrays of important opportunities to ensure healthy food, new medicines, precious metals and minerals, renewable energy, and green transportation for a rapidly growing world population.
"At the same time, the health of the oceans is rapidly deteriorating. Ocean acidification is an urgent challenge, and it is a sad fact that unless we take action, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans within the next few decades. We must increase our knowledge of the oceans and this initiative will hopefully be a step in the right direction".