Brazilian oil and gas company Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) and Shearwater GeoServices Holding AS have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint research and development on seismic acquisition and processing technology.
The joint effort will focus on data quality, value, and efficiency, Shearwater said in a news release.
The five-year agreement comes in addition to previous collaborations between the two companies, which included Marine Vibroseis and the software licensing of Reveal software.
To improve insights into the subsurface and enhance data value, the MoU establishes a governance platform to support the joint effort of Petrobras and Shearwater. The governance also reduces the time, cost, and environmental impact of seismic acquisition projects.
“We are excited to broaden our collaboration with Petrobras, a company that shares our commitment to seismic research and innovation,” Shearwater CEO Irene Basili said.
“Shearwater is a company driven by curiosity and the desire to answer questions, explore, and to accelerate the responsible use of resources. Petrobras and Shearwater share a strong commitment to jointly solving big challenges and through that creating long-term value for both companies and society at large,” Basili added.
“This cooperation seeks to bolster our ongoing engagement in geophysical R&D [research and development] and innovation, thereby accelerating the exploration and development of energy resources. By leveraging advanced technologies together, we aim to significantly enhance geophysical technologies and achieve superior operational efficiency, ultimately driving innovation and sustainability within the industry,” Petrobras General Manager of R&D&I Roberta Mendes said.
Marine Vibroseis is Shearwater’s technology for geophysical surveys. Geophysical imaging uses sound energy to generate reflections from geological formations below the subsurface, according to Shearwater’s website.
Shearwater’s Reveal is a seismic processing software that provides time and depth processing and imaging for marine environments from within a single user interface, the website stated.
Meanwhile, Shearwater announced the start of the Pelotas Basin 3D offshore Brazil in a separate news release. The Pelotas Basin 3D adds to the company’s existing library in the conjugate Orange Basin of Namibia and is a continuation of the co-operation with joint venture partner Searcher Seismic.
The Pelotas Basin attracted significant interest in the recent 4th Cycle of the open acreage bid round and the project is supported by industry funding. The initial phase of the Pelotas Basin 3D will be 1,467 square miles (3,800 square kilometers), with a planned extension, according to Shearwater.
Shearwater describes itself as a leading seismic acquisition company. Its marine seismic surveys provide imaging of the seabed and beneath for exploration and production companies. It helps make informed decisions about the energy supplies of the future. Its software processing tool can handle large volumes of data and perform complex processing tasks, providing subsurface images and information.
In November 2023, Petrobras and Shearwater entered into a multi-year collaborative technology agreement aimed at reshaping seismic exploration and field development in Brazil. The partnership was centered on Shearwater’s marine vibrator, named Project BASS, an innovative seismic source technology that promises significant gains in operational efficiency, seismic data quality, and reduced sound emissions when compared to traditional methods.
The previous agreement encompasses the industrialization of Shearwater’s marine vibratory source technology and associated services for the Brazilian offshore basins, according to an earlier news release.
To contact the author, email rocky.teodoro@rigzone.com
What do you think? We’d love to hear from you, join the conversation on the
Rigzone Energy Network.
The Rigzone Energy Network is a new social experience created for you and all energy professionals to Speak Up about our industry, share knowledge, connect with peers and industry insiders and engage in a professional community that will empower your career in energy.
link