North Sea
TGS has more than 40 years of experience in seismic data acquisition and processing in the North Sea. Since 1981, TGS has built the industry's largest portfolio of modern regional 2D and 3D seismic data, including recent GeoStreamer X and multi-client ocean bottom node (OBN) surveys. Multi-client data has played a key role in the exploration success of this prolific basin. Advancements in acquisition and processing technologies continue to support enhanced imaging, interpretation and discovery rates across the region.
Advanced Seismic Solutions for Exploration and Development
TGS leads seismic innovation in the North Sea, advancing oil and gas exploration, CCS and offshore wind projects with advanced technologies. As a mature hydrocarbon basin, the North Sea still offers significant opportunities, but better data is required to identify and extract additional barrels near existing infrastructure. TGS addresses this with GeoStreamer, GeoStreamer X and OBN surveys, providing critical insights into subsurface challenges. With a legacy of high-quality seismic data, TGS helps energy companies make informed decisions, transforming imaging and optimizing development strategies.
A Technology Playground
The North Sea is maturing in hydrocarbon exploration, field development, production and decommissioning, while CCS and offshore wind projects are in the early stages. TGS continues to drive seismic innovation in the North Sea with pioneering acquisition and imaging technologies, including Ramform vessels, GeoStreamer, GeoStreamer X, ocean bottom nodes (OBN) and P-Cable/XHR. TGS designs tailored acquisition solutions to support business needs across the Norwegian continental shelf. For seabed mapping, site surveys and shallow targets, TGS provides ultra-high-resolution (UHR) P-Cable and XHR technologies. For deeper targets such as CCS projects, conventional oil and gas exploration, well planning, field development and 4D monitoring, GeoStreamer and OBN technology offer superior imaging.
GeoStreamer transformed seismic imaging with multi-sensor broadband data, improving deghosting and resolution. Since its launch in 2011, it has enhanced lead and prospect identification by reducing noise and increasing data clarity. In 2019, GeoStreamer X expanded those capabilities with a multi-azimuth solution, integrating new and legacy data for more detailed seismic images. Its initial Viking Graben project significantly improved complex target imaging and increased exploration confidence. Since then, TGS has expanded the GeoStreamer X library to six projects across the Norwegian and U.K. continental shelves.
Between 2018 and 2019, TGS and joint venture partner AGS conducted the world's largest multi-client OBN survey, the Utsira OBN. TGS has since expanded its multi-client OBN coverage with the NOAKA OBN, Heimdal Terrace OBN and Sleipner OBN. These surveys provide high-fold, full-azimuth and ultra-long offset data, advancing near-field exploration in a mature area of the North Sea.
TGS continues to expand seismic imaging capabilities, delivering high-quality subsurface insights to operators across the North Sea.
Imaging
The geology of the North Sea is complex and presents numerous challenges for seismic imaging. These include shallow features such as tunnel valleys, glacial channels and gas pockets, along with injectites, ooze bodies, chalk and carbonate buildups, and complex structural geometries that generate significant multiples, noise and scattering, making velocity model building and accurate subsurface imaging difficult.
To address these challenges, TGS combines advanced acquisition solutions with proprietary imaging techniques, including broadband processing, deblending and demultiple techniques, elastic Dynamic Matching (DM) and Multi-Parameter (MP) Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) workflows for high-resolution velocity model building and high-end imaging
North Sea Data Highlights
TGS offers a wide range of multi-client seismic data products for the North Sea including:
Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) Surveys:
- Utsira OBN: 2,076 km²
- NOAKA OBN: 434 km²
- Sleipner OBN: 1,204 km²
- Heimdal Terrace OBN: 433 km²
GeoStreamer X (Multi-azimuth, multi-sensor 3D):
- 23,220 km² designed to resolve the imaging challenges on the Heimdal Terrace. Triple Azimuth data targeted imaging for infrastructure-led exploration (ILX) and appraisal.
GeoStreamer PURE:
- Over 65,000 km² of high-end broadband GeoStreamer seismic data across the Viking and Central grabens.
Additional products:
- GeoStreamer 3D , conventional 3D seismic, rockAVO (well and rock physics models), Aero/Marine gravity and magnetics, well data, Facies Map Browser (FMB).
Additional Insights
The North Sea and West of Shetlands: Evolution of Prolific Hydrocarbon Basins
TGS experts present an overview of the North Sea's exploration state and seismic needs and contrast them with those of the West of Shetlands.
Benefits of Using Dense OBN for Exploration: Utsira example using AI and ML
Article on the Utsira OBN survey in the South Viking Graben, where ocean bottom node data combined with AI and machine learning has enhanced subsurface imaging and exploration.
Seismic Acquisition and Processing: The Technology Race
Exploring advancements in seismic acquisition, with an emphasis on Ocean Bottom Nodes (OBN) and innovative source techniques to improve subsurface imaging and more accurately interpret geological data.
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