TGS has begun a major 2D seismic reprocessing project offshore São Tomé and Príncipe in partnership with the country’s Agência Nacional do Petróleo (ANP-STP), aiming to improve subsurface imaging and support future exploration and licensing activity.
The project covers 14,651 km of 2D seismic data from four surveys acquired by TGS between 1999 and 2005. Although the data was previously reprocessed in 2014, the new programme will apply a modern depth-imaging workflow incorporating advanced pre-processing, velocity-model building using Dynamic Matching elastic Full Waveform Inversion (E-DMFWI), and Kirchhoff Prestack Depth Migration.
Offshore São Tomé and Príncipe presents a particularly challenging imaging environment. Volcanic features, shallow channel systems and widespread mass-transport complexes have historically affected seismic clarity and the reliable depth positioning of exploration targets.
TGS said the new workflow is designed to address these geological complexities and produce a clearer, more consistent representation of the subsurface. The resulting products are expected to provide operators with a stronger technical basis for identifying and maturing prospects and evaluating opportunities ahead of future acreage availability.
“This reprocessing project reflects our continued commitment to invest in the exploration potential of São Tomé and Príncipe’s offshore basin,” said David Hajovsky, executive vice-president, Multi-Client at TGS. “By applying our most advanced imaging technology to this dataset, we are giving operators the subsurface clarity needed to confidently assess prospectivity and identify prospects.”
Hajovsky added that the project forms part of TGS’s wider investment across the West African margin, supporting both acreage evaluation and existing exploration work commitments.
A priority subset of seismic lines is scheduled for delivery within seven months, while final products covering the complete dataset are expected in the third quarter of 2027. The project is supported by industry funding.
