New Norwegian company contracted to do 4D seismic survey off Guyana’s coast

A new Norwegian company has been contracted to do a massive 4D seismic survey off Guyana’s coast by ExxonMobil Guyana, as it seeks to further its understanding of the oil potential of the Stabroek Block for its future drilling campaigns.
Shearwater Geoservices, a Norwegian based geoscience and technology company that acquires offshore data, has received a massive 4D seismic survey contract off Guyana’s coast. The company was contracted by ExxonMobil Guyana, to conduct 4D seismic surveys of the deep-sea reservoir.
According to a statement from the Norwegian company, the contract duration is for six months, and starts in the early part of this year. Shearwater Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Irene Basili, explained that her company was contracted after it would have done 4D towed streamer work for ExxonMobil in Canada.
Basili also described Guyana as one of the world’s fastest growing offshore oil and gas regions and she was also confident that Shearwater Geoservices with its seismic fleet would be up for the task.
“Shearwater is pleased to be selected for this significant 4D OBN contract in one of the world’s fastest growing offshore oil and gas regions following our recent successful completion of 4D towed streamer operations for ExxonMobil in Canada,” Basili explained.
“We see a steady increase in deepwater 4D OBN monitoring activity internationally, and Shearwater is well positioned for this growth with our leading seismic fleet, state-of-the-art technology offering and extensive experience.”
With an estimated 11 billion-plus barrels of oil equivalent (boe) recoverable resource, it is widely believed that there is more oil to be found in the Stabroek Block. As such, ExxonMobil has previously conducted both 3D and 4D seismic surveys, with a view to determining where that oil is.
Back in 2021, ExxonMobil had contracted another Norwegian company, Petroleum and Geo Services (PGS) to provide the Ramform Tethys, one of their Titan class ships, for 4D seismic surveys in the Stabroek Block.
PGS had previously done 3D seismic tests in the country, but there had been drama in December 2018, which caused the work to be suspended after the appearance and approach of the Venezuelan navy caused the company’s seismic vessel to pack up shop and vacate the area.
The company was at the time under contract by Exxon to carry out tests and acquire seismic data. The incident came at a time when Guyana had an ongoing territorial integrity case with Venezuela.
In the years since, Exxon has gone on to secure authorization for its Yellowtail, Uaru and Whiptail developments in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectfully. Exxon’s joint venture partner Hess has also expressed hope they will secure environmental authorization for the seventh project, the Hammerhead Development, by April 2025.
The Yellowtail Development, which will be oil giant ExxonMobil’s fourth development in Guyana’s waters, will target as much as 250,000 barrels of oil per day. The Uaru oil development, which will be the fifth one for the company offshore Guyana, is targeting between 38 and 63 development wells.
These wells include production, water injection, and gas re-injection wells. Exxon had previously also made known that they anticipate the first oil from the Uaru development by late 2026 or early 2027.
The Government of Guyana has meanwhile taken steps to commission a 3D seismic survey of its own. Last year, four out of the eight bidders were shortlisted by the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB).
The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil Guyana is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest. ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027.