Multi-Client Seismic Survey Planned For ‘Equatorial Transform’

Geoex International plans a two dimensional (2D) multi-client seismic data acquisition along the transform margin of Ghana, Togo and Benin.

It is the first phase of a larger regional programme, that would tie in to similar programmes in Nigeria and the conjugate margin of South America.

Data acquisition is expected to commence in the latter part of the first quarter of 2016, with Pre- Stack Time Migration data targeted for delivery in August and Pre-Stack Depth Migration data targeted for delivery in December.

The African equatorial transform margin has proven to be an exciting exploration province over the last decade with the Upper Cretaceous deep water fan play in Ghana, so far proving the most successful part of the system, according to Robertson Safi, Managing Director of Ghana Geophysical Company Limited, a partner in the project. ‘”Yet along with the successes have come a number of high profile failures, which have highlighted the need to fully understand the petroleum systems from basin architecture through to reservoir development and migration and trapping mechanisms.”

The Ghanaian portion of the offshore survey is about 6,000 km, for which Geoex, in conjunction with Ghana Geophysical Company and other partners, signed an agreement with Petroleum Commission- the State’s regulatory body and concessionaire. “The data would be interpreted in the broader context to allow geoscientists to evaluate both sides of the margin as it evolved and to identify other potential petroleum systems offshore Ghana”, Safi explains.

“This is the first Reconnaissance License that the (Ghana) Petroleum Commission (the industry regulator) has signed since its establishment”, notes Theophilus  Ahwireng, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Commission.  “This strategic project will include the acquisition of long offset, long record 2D regional seismic data that will be migrated to depth and integrated with available offshore well data to calibrate key stratigraphic horizons and ties in major discoveries in the area to provide the regional context and enable a full evaluation of petroleum plays.”