Geoex & MCG, in partnership with Seismic Partner (SP), present the world's first Ultra High Density (UHD) multi-client 3D hybrid seismic acquisition in Quadrant 35 in the North Sea.

Historically the seismic node and streamer industry have been working on separate fronts to better improve their solutions while competing for the same markets. The LumiSeisTM hybrid concept from Seismic Partner has been developed on the basis that none of these technologies are ideal on their own. The hybrid concept aims to combine and jointly harnessing the potential of these two proven methodologies.

LumiSeisTM is an optimized combination of streamers and seabed nodes. This unique approach allows all the data to be acquired simultaneously and with the same source. Resulting in an efficient acquisition, both operational and cost-wise, ensuring high quality data with a competitive price. This hybrid method allows summation of the high-resolution streamer data with the node data. In addition, the node data will be used to define an improved velocity field through 'Full Waveform Inversion' (FWI). This in turn will provide better imaging of the subsurface, unlocking new opportunities in exploration and production.

ROV is used for accurate positioning of the nodes on the seabed. The nodes are laid out both regionally, for improved velocity model, and densely for improved illumination and fold over attractive areas of interest. The accurate ROV-based node handling also makes the LumiSeisTM seismic ideal as a baseline for future 4D surveys across producing fields, says the Seismic Partner CEO Kristen Berli.

The Quad 35 Hybrid MC3D project is 800 km² and covers a mature area of the North Sea that includes the fields Nova and Vega (under development), Aurora and Grosbeak. New high-resolution data will improve the imaging of upper Jurassic sands and the complex faults for which this area is known. The data will be ideal for oil companies looking for additional resources close to existing infrastructure.

MCG is the operator of the project in Quadrant 35. MCG's CEO Tom Wolden says that they are considering the hybrid concept to have great commercial potential both in Norway and internationally, and that these types of projects fit well into the company's further commitment. Wolden is pleased with the interest from trusted suppliers in connection with the project in Quadrant 35. Project partners are BGP with UHD streamer and source, MagSeis Fairfield with "state of the art" nodes, Reach Subsea with leading ROV node management, and DUG for processing of both the streamer and node data.

The Quad 35 Hybrid MC3D data acquisition will begin in August and end in September 2020. Fast Track data is expected to be ready by December 2020.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Geoex