ION Geophysical Corporation has completed processing and imaging of 10,000 km² of 3D seismic data for its Mid-North Sea High Phase 2 and 2b programmes.
ION Geophysical Corporation has completed processing and imaging of 10,000 km² of 3D seismic data for its Mid-North Sea High Phase 2 and 2b programmes. The programmes cover one of the few remaining underexplored offshore areas offshore UK, where relatively low development costs close to shore and infrastructure, as well as recent play-opening wells, make it attractive for European energy security investments, said ION.
Challenging shallow water geology was imaged utilizing reflection FWI. Eight wells, including the play-opening Ossian- Darach well, were used for calibration and to improve the overall accuracy of the velocity model. In combination, ION said that the dataset would enable the definition and de-risking of the Zechstein play.
Chris Usher, president and CEO of ION Geophysical, said: ‘With UK returns per barrel being some of the highest globally and a recognition by the UK that domestic energy production needs must be prioritized, this particular acquisition was very timely. Forty percent of the open acreage in the area was acquired in the last licensing round and a new windfarm in the Sofia and Dogger Bank areas will make it more challenging to acquire 3D data in future years.
‘Combined with potential carbon capture opportunities, the Mid North Sea High area becomes very attractive for responsibly ensuring the UK’s long-term energy security.’
ION will also be delivering final depth imaged data for its Mauritania and Picanha Phase 5 3D reprocessing programmes later this summer, bringing the total of new seismic data added to its library this year to 55,000 km2.
