Fugro, AGI Sell Seep Data off Canada

Fugro and partner Amplified Geochemical Imaging (AGI) are reporting recent success selling multiple licences for data from frontier regions offshore east coast Canada.

The data were acquired during two separate hydrocarbon seep surveys in the Orphan Basin (2017) and Carson Basin (2018), both situated on the continental margin of Newfoundland.

The data packages are being licensed by Fugro and include multibeam echo sounder data (bathymetry, backscatter intensity and water column), sub-bottom profiler data, heat flow measurements and shipboard geochemical screening analyses, Fugro said, adding that advanced geochemical analyses, including biomarkers on select samples, are also included.

The Orphan Basin package covers an area of 11,070 square kilometers and the Carson Basin package covers an area of 18,880 square kilometers; each survey was followed by heat flow and geochemical sampling and analysis.

Fugro noted that both programs were planned so that purchasing clients would have the data in advance of the upcoming lease rounds, so data could be used in derisking their potential investment. It said the data could be useful post lease round from numerous perspectives including guiding – and potentially reducing the scope of – expensive 3D seismic surveys. Geochemical datasets (shipboard, conventional shore-based and AGI adsorbent-based analyses) all suggest the presence of thermogenic hydrocarbons.

“With the keen interest in these licences to international E&P companies, and recent record-breaking bids in the Orphan Basin, it is clear to us there is much excitement surrounding Canada’s growing offshore industry and Newfoundland and Labrador’s licensing rounds,” said Keith Kneale, Fugro’s Business Development Director for the Americas.

A variety of further investigations - such as establishing environmental baselines, evaluating seafloor geohazards and preliminary planning for field development - ensures the data will deliver long-term value to any client purchasing a licence, Fugro said. Nalcor Energy-Oil and Gas was a partner in these work programs.