The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has entered into contracts with Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) and Dolphin Geophysical for the acquisition of seismic data. The contracts have a total value of NOK 170 million (USD 28.6 million) .
The vessels M/V Nordic Explorer (PGS) and yyy (Dolphin Geophysical) will acquire seismic data around Jan Mayen and in the southeastern Barents Sea. In addition, seismic data will be acquired in the Nordland IV og V areas.
”The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate acquires seismic data on assignment from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. The funding for the acquisition has been allocated in the 2012 state budget,” says Lars Jensen , NPD project manager for this summer’s seismic survey.
The results of the acquisition will form part of the fact basis when the Storting decides whether to open these areas for petroleum activities. The acquisition will take place from the beginning of May, at the earliest, until the end of August. The NPD is looking into where the seismic lines will be acquired to exploit the capacity of the two vessels to the fullest.
[mappress] Offshore Energy Today Staff, January 23, 2012; Image: PGS