Map showing Angola's Block 16 with additional TGS data (Image Source: TGS)

Norwegian seismic firm TGS has completed reprocessing work on data that it hopes will spur renewed interest in Angola’s forgotten deepwater Block 16

The company has announced that it had finished work on the Block 16 GeoStreamer MC3D seismic dataset in the Lower Congo Basin, in partnership with Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis (ANPG).

Exploration in the deepwater Lower Congo Basin has experienced a resurgence in recent years, TGS reported, with numerous significant discoveries being made and rapidly brought on stream.

"This 3,684-sq-km rejuvenation project utilises modern depth processing workflows to deliver enhanced imaging beyond the original data, enabling detailed evaluation of deeper target plays in both post-salt and pre-salt sections,” it said in a statement.

Angola’s Block 16 has remained largely under explored since the early 2010s, however, with the most recent exploration well drilled in 2013. Until recently, publicly-known oil and gas discoveries within Block 16, in the latest dataset, were limited to the Bengo (1994) and Longa (1995) Upper Miocene finds in the northern section.

However, TGS said that a recent re-evaluation of wells in the Lower Congo Basin has identified oil recovery from Upper Miocene reservoirs in the southern part of the survey area. The survey also provides partial coverage of the field, a marginal field development opportunity currently being marketed by ANPG.

Discovered in 2003, Tchihumba contains hydrocarbon-bearing zones within Upper Miocene, Lower Miocene and Oligocene sands, with recoverable volumes estimated at approximately 136mn barrels.

Additionally, the Lumpembe-1 oil discovery on Block 15/06, drilled in 2023 and currently undergoing development studies, falls within the survey’s coverage.

“TGS is very pleased to continue our support of exploration in this region with our high-quality seismic data,” said David Hajovsky, executive vice president multi-client, TGS. “These accumulations, along with the proximity of significant neighbouring discoveries, present strong opportunities for future exploration success.”

Other West African projects TGS has completed recently include an enhancement of its Fusion 3D seismic dataset offshore Sierra Leone, focusing on the Vega prospect.

Recent discoveries in South America have intensified interest in this region, TGS stated late last year, positioning Sierra Leone as a promising new exploration frontier.

“With growing interest from international oil companies and independents, the Fusion 3D data comes at a crucial time.”

TGS also signed an agreement last year to enhance datasets in Mauritania with the Ministère du Pétrole, des Mines et de l’Énergie, strengthening its position as the sole provider of multi-client subsurface data in the country.

Read more offshore Angola news here:

Red Sky Energy signs risk service contract on Angola Block 6-24

Cabgoc's Sanha project achieves first gas offshore Angola

Sequa Petroleum to acquire interests in multiple blocks in Angola

The Seismic License provides Woodside ongoing rights to the PEL 87 3D seismic data. (Image source; Adobe Stock)

Pancontinental Energy NL has delivered the Seismic License for PEL 87 offshore Namibia to Woodside Energy following relevant approval from the Namibian authority

The Seismic License provides Woodside ongoing rights to the PEL 87 3D seismic data, the acquisition and processing of which was funded by it. While Pancontinental Orange Pty Ltd holds 75% operatorship in the PEL 87 Joint Venture, there is an exclusive scope for Woodside to derive over a 56% participating interest from Pancontinental’s shares. 

Pancontinental, on the other hand, has an option over a 1% participating interest to be derived from the 15% share exercised by Custos Investments (Pty) Ltd. 

The Seismic License delivery marks the origin of the 180 days-long Long Stop Date which is 18 May 2025, when Woodside Energy may exercise its option to farmin to PEL 87.

Orange Basin

Besides Pancontinental and Custos, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) owns a 10% interest in the PEL 87 Joint Venture. 

PEL 87 belongs in the Orange Basin which keeps giving, with latest light oil discovery reported in March from Mopane in PEL 83. 

PetroVision will facilitate operations within Nigeria using DUG Insight software. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Geoscience services provider DUG Technology has announced a new partnership with energy consultancy PetroVision to promote and deliver specialised seismic data processing solutions in Nigeria

The partnership brings together DUG's expertise in advanced analytical software and reliable cloud-based high-performance computing (HPC), and PetroVision's perceptions on geoscience, engineering and economic aspects across the hydrocarbons sectors, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) and field exploration geochemical sampling for critical minerals such as lithium.

PetroVision will facilitate operations within Nigeria, while DUG will supply technology and support. This includes use of the DUG Insight processing, imaging and interpretation software and remote access to DUG’s teams of geophysical experts. 

Leveraging cutting-edge technology

PetroVision will manage a local processing office within Nigeria, utilising computer resources via the DUG HPC Cloud platform. "We’re thrilled to join forces with DUG, leveraging their cutting-edge technology to enhance our technical capabilities, increase local content participation and broaden our service offerings in Nigeria," said PetroVision’s technical director, Lekan Aluko.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the team at PetroVision to build a strong presence, and grow our client base in Nigeria,” said Matthew Lamont, managing director, DUG. 

DUG's interests in Nigeria comes following an uptick in the region's exploration scene, with the latest being a shallow offshore discovery by Chevron in the Western Niger Delta. 

This expansion will add 2,248 sq km of 3D data. (Image source: TGS)

Energy data and intelligence provider, TGS, has expanded 3D seismic coverage for its Benin MegaSurvey, in collaboration with Societe Nationale des Hydrocarbures du Benin (SNH-B)

This strategic initiative aims to deepen understanding of the region’s subsurface geology and unlock its untapped hydrocarbon potential. 

Previously, TGS had also acquired data from countries such as Tanzania and Liberia. 

With this expansion, the company will add 2,248 sq km of high-quality conventional 3D seismic data to the existing Benin MegaSurvey. The expanded coverage will span from the continental shelf to the slope, offering a comprehensive view of the area and revealing previously untapped exploration potential.

Seamless data integration

Besides the seismic expansion, TGS has also incorporated 10 wells into its advanced tool, RockAVO atlas, which integrates seismic data with well information, offering explorers a powerful suite of capabilities. It features the Interactive Rock Physics Atlas, which allows to explore rock physics models, analyse elastic properties, and visualise seismic AVO responses for detailed subsurface insights.

Explorers can access a wealth of well logs, rock physics models, and data atlases in a single platform, streamlining exploration workflows through its Well Data Integration platform.

While there is a Scenario Testing facility that helps screen for geological analogs, and assess lithology, fluid content, and porosity to de-risk plays and enhance decision-making, the tool also ensures data accuracy and seismic image integrity with enhanced Quality Control features. 

Exploration interests in Benin have been growing lately with companies such as Rex International Holding and  Zenith Energy operating in the Seme Field.