TGS has announced two multi-client geochemical seafloor sampling and seep studies offshore Canada and in the Barents Sea. Sampling locations for both programs were identified using recently acquired multi-client seismic data.
The Labrador Sea Sampling 2014 will be collected in partnership with VBPR and PGS, and is a comprehensive multi-client geochemical seafloor sampling and hydrocarbon seep study offshore Canada in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The project will provide data along the 1,200 km long Newfoundland-Labrador coastline showing numerous seep anomalies on the seafloor. In addition to the seep samples, TGS will acquire heat flow measurements to constrain basin models.
The Barents Sea Sampling 2014 will be acquired in partnership with VBPR and focuses on blocks within the Norwegian 23rd licensing round, specifically in the greater Hoop area and in the newly opened Barents Sea Southeast. In addition to multi-client geochemical seafloor sampling and seep studies, stratigraphic sampling will be conducted. The scarcity of well data in the central Barents Sea makes stratigraphic sampling of the reservoir section key for exploration in the area.
All of the hydrocarbon seep samples will be collected using the gravity coring method and the results from the seep studies can provide information on the depositional environment, maturation, and age of the hydrocarbon source. This geotechnical data will provide valuable constraints into the geology and petroleum systems, and play a key role in enabling customers to participate in the upcoming licensing rounds in both survey areas.
Data acquisition will start during Q3 2014 and initial data will be available to clients in Q2 2015. The projects are supported by industry funding.