TGS has launched a new 3D seismic survey in the MSGBC Basin, covering 5,100 square km, in partnership with GeoPartners.
The Senegal North Ultra-Deep Offshore (SN-UDO-19) seismic will be carried out using the BGP Prospector vessel, with TGS saying the plan had the full support of Senegal’s state-owned oil company Petrosen. The work continues the SS-UDO-19 survey, which was recently concluded in southern Senegal.
The seismic company said the shoot was intended to provide greater insight into the ultra-deep areas, building on the success of the Sangomar field, the Tortue-Ahmeyim fields and the Yakaar. Sangomar was previously known as SNE, it was renamed last week.
Acquisition will take 75 days, TGS said, with initial fast-track data available three months after completion – or early May 2020. The company said this would be in time to provide further insight on blocks offered under the Senegal Offshore 2020 licence round. The full results will be ready in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The survey “extends our coverage in a highly prospective region where TGS has been actively acquiring data for almost two years. The MSGBC Basin remains a key region for TGS where our unique combination of multibeam, seafloor sampling, seismic, interpretation and imaging products deliver the best subsurface knowledge in the industry,” said TGS’ CEO Kristian Johansen. “As we expand offshore activities in the Southern Atlantic, we are well positioned to provide our customers with valuable insights to further develop opportunities both offshore Senegal and in the wider region.”
TGS began its previous Senegal shoot in mid-September. The survey covered more than 4,500 square km, it said, and was carried out in partnership with GeoPartners and through the use of the BGP Prospector vessel.
First results from this are due four months after completion, in mid-March 2020, with the full dataset available in August next year.
The seismic company noted plans for the country’s first offshore licence round earlier this month. The round is to be launched at a summit in January 2020 and will be open until the end of July. It will include 10 offshore blocks.
TGS said it had a range of data that would be available to support the round, including 2D seismic, 3D seismic, multibeam and seafloor sampling data.
The company also noted the appeal of the wider region, with two wells to be spudded in 2020 in the shared area between Senegal and Guinea Bissau. CNOOC Ltd is to drill the Wolverine-1 and Svenska Petroleum and FAR are expected to drill the Atum or Anchova prospects. These are close to the blocks on offer in the round.
The Woodside Energy-led Sangomar is expected to reach a final investment decision (FID) this year. The plan involves a converted floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit with 100,000 barrels per day of capacity and 23 wells, which will tap 230 million barrels of resources. First oil is expected in early 2023.