Norwegian energy data company TGS has begun a new survey in the Equatorial Margin of Brazil. The PAMA 3D Phase 1 Survey covers 19 343 km2 and more than 25 future exploration blocks within the Pará-Maranhão Basin, one of the world’s largest major unexplored basins.
The PAMA 3D Phase 1 Survey expands TGS’ data coverage in the region, building on previous 3D surveys covering more than 60 000 km2. The Equatorial Margin has drawn industry attention because of successes in neighboring Guyana and Suriname, sparking new initiatives in northern Brazil. These efforts target reservoir quality sands within deepwater fan systems, sourced from Amazon River-related drainage, in a diverse range of plays, from stratigraphic pinch-outs at the paleo-slope edge to anticline structures within the fold-and-thrust belt extending along the margin.
“The Equatorial Margin represents one of the most exciting exploration frontiers today,” said Kristian Johansen, CEO at TGS. “With the PAMA 3D Phase 1 survey, TGS continues to provide the industry with vital data to explore and realize the potential of this underexplored region. This survey demonstrates TGS’ strength through the value chain. In addition to developing and owning the survey, we will use our own high-end streamer vessels to acquire the data, as well as our own imaging capacity. Finally, the data will be delivered to customers through the TGS data management solution.”
This new 3D seismic data set aims to address imaging challenges in the region’s complex geology and is supported by industry funding.
