ASKER, NORWAY (05 May 2010) TGS announced today that it has launched a 2,600 square kilometer 3D pre-stack depth migration (PSDM) project over the Hoop Fault Complex, offshore Norway in the Barents Sea. This will be the first multi-client project of its kind in the European region. The project will be managed by the TGS processing center in Bedford, United Kingdom. Original data was acquired by the M/V Geo Barents and M/V Geo Pacific during the summer of 2009.

Interpretation work previously done by TGS suggests there could be favorable conditions for the occurrence of hydrocarbons in the project area. "PSDM processing on this project will enhance the imaging of geology adjacent to and below shallow faulting, solving one of the main geological challenges in the area," said Kjell Trommestad, VP and General Director of Europe/Russia for TGS.

Final data will be available for the industry well before the application deadline for the 21st licensing round in Norway. This project is supported by industry funding.