TGS-PetroData Offshore Services Limited (TGS-PD) has been granted a Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Commission (NUPRC), in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). This marks the first PEL issued under the PIA 2021 and is part of a license agreement between TGS-PD and the NUPRC for a geophysical survey project involving the acquisition of approximately 56,000 square kilometers of 3D seismic and gravity data.
The NUPRC’s Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, expressed that this milestone is a significant step towards implementing the PIA and attracting investment to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The availability of data is crucial for auctioning reserves, attracting revenue, and facilitating development.
Under the PEL, the acquired data is non-proprietary and includes speculative or multi-client survey data conducted in collaboration with the NUPRC. This license permits TGS-PetroData Offshore to conduct non-exclusive petroleum exploration operations on a multi-client basis within the licensed area. It also allows exploration companies to use the acquired 3D seismic and gravity data.
To support the acquisition of the 3D seismic and gravity data, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has granted approval for TGS-PD to deploy a specialized Geophysical Survey Vessel.
The acquisition of the 3D seismic and gravity data commenced on July 17, 2023, and the processed data is expected to be available by mid-2024. The scope of the Geophysical Survey Project includes acquiring approximately 11,900 square kilometers of new 3D seismic and gravity data in water depths ranging from 30 meters to 4,000 meters offshore the Niger Delta. Conducting simultaneous seismic and gravity data acquisition will enhance the correlation of identified structures and reservoirs. Notably, the project will capture a record length of 14 seconds, enabling the imaging of deeper reservoirs that have not been explored offshore in the Niger Delta before.
TGS-PD will process the acquired seismic and gravity data using its latest proprietary technology. The data willTGS-PetroData Offshore Services Limited (TGS-PD) has been granted a Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Commission (NUPRC) under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). This is the first PEL issued under the PIA 2021 and is part of a geophysical survey project that involves acquiring 56,000 square kilometers of 3D seismic and gravity data.
The NUPRC’s Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, stated that this is a significant milestone for implementing the PIA and attracting investment to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Data is crucial for auctioning reserves and attracting revenue.
The PEL allows TGS-PD to conduct non-exclusive petroleum exploration operations on a multi-client basis within the licensed area. It also permits exploration companies to use the acquired 3D seismic and gravity data.
To support the acquisition of the data, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has given approval for TGS-PD to deploy a specialized Geophysical Survey Vessel.
The acquisition of the 3D seismic and gravity data started on July 17, 2023, and the processed data is expected to be available by mid-2024. The project involves acquiring 11,900 square kilometers of new data in water depths ranging from 30 meters to 4,000 meters offshore the Niger Delta. The simultaneous acquisition of seismic and gravity data will improve the correlation of structures and reservoirs. The project will also capture a record length of 14 seconds, enabling the imaging of deeper reservoirs not explored before in the Niger Delta.
TGS-PD will process the acquired data using its latest proprietary technology. The data will be made available for licensing to exploration companies.
The NUPRC highlighted the benefits of the data acquisition, including the availability of new regional 3D seismic and gravity data in deep waters offshore the Niger Delta. The commission retains sole ownership of the acquired data, and revenue generated from data use licenses granted to exploration companies will benefit the commission and the federal government.
The 3D seismic and gravity data acquisition is expected to enhance understanding of Nigeria’s regional petroleum system in ultra-deep waters and unlock hydrocarbon potential in frontier basins. It will also facilitate future deepwater licensing rounds, attract foreign direct investments, and contribute to increased oil and gas reserves and production.