Viridien starts multi-client OBN survey in Central North Sea

May 22, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

French geophysical services company Viridien has begun a multi-client ocean bottom node (OBN) survey in the Central North Sea, spanning the UK and Norwegian sectors.

The dense multi-client OBN survey covers 645 km2 in the Frigg area, with the final processed deliverables to be available in the third quarter of 2027. It is supported by industry funding,

Dechun Lin, Head of Earth Data at Viridien, said: “The start of this new survey highlights Viridien’s long-term commitment to the North Sea and to supporting our clients with high-quality multi-client data programs. Our extensive experience in the area, combined with our proven OBN imaging technologies, positions us to deliver valuable new insights for infrastructure-led exploration across this important cross-border region.”

Viridien will apply its OBN processing and imaging technologies, including Time-Lag Full-Waveform Inversion, to the survey.

As the company reported on May 18, the resulting dataset will deliver enhanced resolution and structural definition across the region’s complex geology and reservoirs.

The Frigg field was discovered in 1971, and the plan for development and operation (PDO) was approved in 1974. The water depth at the area is 100 meters.