North West El Amal block : Neptune Energy completes OBN multiclient survey

Neptune Energy has wrapped up an ocean bottom nodes (OBN) multiclient survey in the North West El Amal block in Egyptian waters, which it says has delivered promising results for additional analysis.

Prefunded by Neptune Energy, the OBN multiclient survey project was executed by WesternGeco, the seismic and geophysical data solutions unit of Schlumberger, under a contract from the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC). The OBN survey was sponsored by the Egyptian Ministry for Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

WesternGeco acquired the OBN survey in the North West El Amal block using third-party vessels.

Employing innovative OBN technology, the survey is said to have overcome the challenge of acquiring enhanced imaging in the complex salt geometries of the Gulf of Suez.

According to Neptune Energy, this was the first-ever OBN seismic survey to have been undertaken in Egypt and the most detailed survey of the block since the first acquisition in 1988. The survey is said to offer an in-depth data set for processing, image analysis, and planning for potential exploratory wells in the coming days.

North West El Amal block : Neptune Energy wraps up OBN multiclient survey. Image courtesy of Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pixabay.

Spread over 365 km2, the North West El Amal block is located in the central part of the Gulf of Suez, nearly 42 km south of Ras Gharib and 105 km north of Hurghada.

Neptune Energy bagged the exploration licence in February 2019, which includes the acquisition of 100 km2 of 3D seismic data.

Gamal Kassem – Neptune Energy Egypt Managing Director said: “Egypt is important for Neptune and we are pleased to build on our strong relationships with the Ministry of Petroleum and Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation.

“The safe and successful completion of the seismic acquisition is an important achievement and is testament to the careful planning and professional execution by Neptune, EGPC and WesternGeco.”

Neptune Energy said that the OBN multiclient survey project in the North West El Amal block saw placing large numbers of autonomous sensors on the seabed for acquiring seismic data and then retrieving them for analysis. The oil and gas company said that the process acquires more detailed data than conventional technologies and is less sensitive to weather conditions which can affect traditional seismic survey vessels.

Gro Haatvedt – Neptune Energy VP Exploration & Development said: “It’s very exciting to have been involved in the OBN seismic survey, the first time the technology has been deployed in Egyptian waters. Given the geographically-diverse nature of our global portfolio, Neptune is accustomed to working with innovative digital and subsurface technologies to tackle a variety of geological challenges.

“Obtaining subsalt imaging is particularly tough and the OBN technology was well-suited for this purpose. The next step is to analyse the data which has greatly improved our understanding of the block and will support our future plans including potential exploratory wells.”