Norway: NPD Starts 8-Week Barents Sea Seismic Survey

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) started acquiring seismic in the southern part of the Barents Sea yesterday, 26 April, at 17:28 hours.

“The entire first line of 67 kilometres was acquired before midnight. We are very satisfied with this start-up,” says Lars Jensen, the NPD’s project manager for this summer’s seismic acquisition.

The acquisition, which will be carried out by the vessel M/V Artemis Atlantic, will take place over six to eight weeks. In total, around 6000 kilometres of seismic will be acquired in this area.

The NPD acquires seismic data on assignment from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. The funds for the acquisition were allocated through the 2012 fiscal budget. The results from the acquisition will be part of the fact basis when the Storting determines whether to open these areas for petroleum activity.  This summer, the NPD will acquire a total of 30 000 kilometres of seismic in the Barents Sea, off Jan Mayen and in the Nordland IV and V areas.

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Source: NPD, April 27, 2012