PROFESSOR KURENTSOV

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Professor Kurentsov started seismic survey in Bjornoya Basin

The Norwegian company Front Exploration will carry out a 2D seismic survey in the Bjornoya basin of the Barents Sea, just north of Statoil’s recent Skrugard discovery. Geostreamer, a new technology for 2D seismic acquisition, can be is towed deeper into the water than with conventional seismic acquisition. The high-resolution shoot is being carried out by Searcher Seismic using the "Professor Kurentsov" and will cover 2100 square kilometres in the northern part of the basin. It will in particular target the shallow prospective sedimentary section along the Bjornoyrenna fault zone complex. Data from the survey will be integrated into Searcher’s ongoing regional Havspurv 2D Seismic Survey, with processing set to be completed in the fourth quarter. The seismic acquisition can go ahead from July 7, 2011. The formalities concerning Norway and Russia’s Treaty on Maritime Delimitation and Cooperation in the Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean have been completed, allowing the survey to start as planned within the ensuing 30 days. The vessel is currently sailing to the Jan Mayen region, where it should start seismic acquisition on June 10, with the program set to last between three and four weeks. It will then head to the eastern part of the Barents Sea, the voyage probably taking four to five days. The vessel has been hired for three months with an optional extension of one further month.