DUG Elastic MP-FWI Imaging is a unique approach to seismic processing and imaging. (Image source: DUG)

DUG has released the latest results from its elastic multi-parameter full waveform inversion (MP-FWI) imaging technology which it launched in 2022, since when more than 70 successful projects have been completed worldwide

DUG Elastic MP-FWI Imaging is a unique approach to seismic processing and imaging which is not only a complete replacement for the traditional processing and imaging workflows, it also replaces the subsequent inversion workflow for elastic rock properties.

With the traditional processing workflow, projects can take many months to years to complete. It involves the testing and application of dozens of steps such as deghosting, designature, demultiple and regularisation, all designed to overcome the limitations of conventional imaging. These workflows are complex, subjective, and very time-consuming and they rely on many assumptions and simplifications. All of these issues impact the output data quality. The resulting, primary-only data then undergoes a similarly complex model-building workflow to derive an estimate of the subsurface velocity, which is used for depth imaging. Post-migration processing is performed before the pre-stack reflectivity undergoes another workflow to derive rock properties that feed into interpretation, also relying on simplifications of the actual physics.

As well as three-component reflectivity and velocity, DUG Elastic MP-FWI Imaging enables the estimation of fundamental rock properties like P-impedance, density and Vp/Vs from field data, without the need for a secondary amplitude variation with angle (AVA) inversion step. DUG Elastic MP-FWI Imaging simultaneously resolves not only subsurface structural features but also quantitative rock property information while avoiding the need for extensive data pre-processing and (post-imaging) AVA-inversion workflows.

“Elastic MP-FWI Imaging accounts for both compressional and shear waves, handling variations in seismic wave dynamics as a function of incidence angle, including in the presence of high impedance contrasts and onshore near-surface geological complexity,” said Tom Rayment, DUG chief geophysicist. “Multiples and converted waves are now treated as valuable additional signal, increasing sampling, resolution and constraining the inverted parameters.”

DUG managing director, Dr Matthew Lamont, added, “We have invested over a decade of R&D to realise this opportunity. Our new Elastic MP-FWI Imaging technology is the product of a multi-year, significant and ongoing R&D effort, which has seen the continuous integration of complete-physics FWI imaging including viscoelasticity, anisotropy and multi-parameter updates. When using the full wavefield for simultaneous velocity model building, rock property inversion and true-amplitude imaging, a multi-parameter solution is a necessity.”

“The fact that DUG MP-FWI Imaging is delivering material imaging uplifts using field-data input is very powerful, but to couple this with high-resolution elastic rock property outputs for quantitative interpretation is even more exciting, providing immediate opportunities for new surveys and maximising the value of legacy datasets,” said Martin Stupel, geophysical manager, Geophysical Pursuit Inc.

Geo Exploration anticipates an yield of approximately 4.31 billion barrels from PEL94. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

With two new sandstone leads identified from petroleum exploration licence (PEL) 94 in Block 2011A offshore Namibia following an independent geoscience evaluation, Geo Exploration Limited has confirmed a materially de‑risked resource base  

The sandstone leads are Emerald (in the Albian) and Beryl (in the Cenomanian), which has a combined value of 792 MMbbl of unrisked gross mean prospective resources, with 726 MMbbl attributable to Emerald and 66 MMbbl to Beryl. 

Geo Exploration, which holds a 78% working interest in PEL94, is anticipating an yield of approximately 4.31 billion barrels.

Seismic mapping has delineated robust, dip and fault‑bounded structural closures. The seismic data interpretation has also highlighted direct hydrocarbon indicators in the area—including gas
chimneys and flat spots—providing strong evidence for an active petroleum system, migration of hydrocarbons throughout the section and therefore increasing the chance that the leads are charged with oil. The water depth is c.750 m at the location of the leads identified. 

The promising seismic results have encouraged the company to move ahead with potential farm-out agreements.

Omar Ahmad, chief executive officer of Geo Exploration, said, "Before commenting on these exciting results, I would first like to congratulate Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on her appointment as President of Namibia and Victoria Sibeya on her appointment as Acting Managing Director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR). I would like to thank Petroleum Commissioner Maggy Shino, the Namibia Ministry of Mines and Energy and our partners for their continued support to Geo.

Today's resource upgrade underscores the tremendous potential we see in PEL 94 and the strong conviction we have in our Namibian licence. Our technical team has done a terrific job delivering
new, material leads on the eastern side of the block. With excitement building across Namibia—and particularly in the Walvis Basin—we are actively progressing farm-out discussions to secure the best outcome for our shareholders"

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.