Partnership set up in Norway to accelerate deployment of innovative OBN tech

July 13, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

Norwegian energy data and intelligence company TGS and compatriot geophysical technology and service company Allton have signed a strategic collaboration agreement focused on accelerating the deployment of innovative deepwater ocean-bottom node (OBN) technology.

The parties have agreed on exclusive rights and priority access to Allton A1 units, establishing a foundation to work together in bringing the next generation of OBN acquisition capabilities to the industry with the aim of making them more accessible and economically attractive in a wider range of operating environments.

“This collaboration aligns with TGS’ strategy of delivering high-quality subsurface data through innovative acquisition technologies,” said Carel Hooijkaas, Executive Vice President, Marine Data Acquisition at TGS. “By combining TGS’ industry-leading geophysical expertise with Allton’s innovative deployment technology, we believe we can expand the range of projects where OBN can be deployed effectively and economically.”

According to TGS, the companies believe the technology, designed to simplify the deployment and recovery of OBN, can play a significant role in moving high-resolution seabed seismic imaging earlier into the exploration cycle. By lowering the cost and logistical barriers traditionally associated with OBN surveys, the technology has the potential to unlock exploration opportunities in emerging and frontier basins where conventional solutions have historically struggled to meet economical thresholds.

The Norwegian partnership plans to evaluate opportunities across multiple basins globally.

“The industry continues to seek better ways to acquire the highest-quality seismic data while improving efficiency and reducing costs,” said Nils Haugestad, CEO at Allton. “The Allton A1 system offers the industry an economic way to acquire OBN data where it previously would be cost prohibitive. We are excited to collaborate with TGS to accelerate the commercialization and application of our technology across new and existing markets.”

This comes after TGS on June 30 announced the start of the Sierra Leone 2D and Mabesi 3D Vision reprocessing projects offshore Sierra Leone in partnership with the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL).

The projects will support screening, early-stage evaluation and target prioritization across Sierra Leone’s basin, helping operators better assess hydrocarbon plays and advance exploration opportunities from shelf to deepwater areas.

The program includes full reprocessing from field data of 24,000 kilometers from multiple input surveys of 2D seismic data and 4,155 square kilometers of Mabesi 3D seismic data through a comprehensive Pre-Stack Depth Migration sequence. Interim early-out products from both projects are expected to be available this year. Final products from Mabesi 3D Vision are expected in Q1 2027, with final products from Sierra Leone 2D Vision expected in Q3 2027.

Foday B. L. Mansaray, Director General of the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone, said: “These projects represent another important milestone in Sierra Leone’s strategy to continually enhance the quality of geological and geophysical information available to investors. By combining advanced imaging technologies with our existing seismic database, we are significantly improving the technical foundation upon which future exploration decisions will be made.”