TGS’ 3D reprocessing seismic survey setting the stage for oil & gas exploration offshore Liberia

January 16, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Norwegian energy data and intelligence player TGS has dived into a 3D reprocessing seismic survey in the Harper Basin to enhance hydrocarbon exploration readiness off the coast of Liberia.

Sunfish 3D reprocessing in Harper Basin; Source: TGS

While confirming the start of reprocessing of the Liberia Sunfish 3D (Vision) seismic survey in the Harper Basin, TGS explains that the project, which is supported by industry funding, forms part of its continued commitment to advancing exploration preparedness across frontier basins. Covering approximately 6,100 square kilometers, this survey was originally acquired by the firm in 2013.

The project will deliver a full 3D Kirchhoff pre-stack depth migration from field tapes, applying modern imaging workflows to improve data quality and subsurface understanding. The final products are scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2026.

With TGS committed to supporting exploration activity and data-driven decision-making in Liberia and the wider West African margin, the reprocessed dataset is designed to deliver clearer imaging of Upper Cretaceous plays, with a strong focus on preserving the fidelity of AVO response throughout the data.

This is said to enable exploration teams to apply advanced reservoir characterization workflows with greater confidence, supporting more robust prospect evaluation in this complex setting. The project is part of the firm’s broader, multi-year campaign in collaboration with the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) to rejuvenate Liberia’s offshore seismic data portfolio.

Upon completion, the Norwegian firm will have reprocessed all available 2D and 3D seismic data in the country’s offshore area, comprising over 50,000 kilometers of 2D seismic and over 31,000 square kilometers of 3D seismic through advanced modern pre-stack depth migration workflows.

David Hajovsky, Executive Vice President of Multi-Client at TGS, commented: “Reprocessing the Sunfish 3D survey represents an important step in maturing exploration readiness in the Harper Basin.

“This project is part of our broader, long-term commitment to rejuvenating the subsurface data foundation across Liberia and supporting informed, data-driven exploration decisions in this underexplored basin.”

This start-up of this project comes shortly after TGS began a multi-client long-offset ocean bottom node (OBN) acquisition program in the Gulf of America (the U.S. Gulf of Mexico).