3D Seismic Project in Greenland

17 June 2015

The limited operational time windows afforded by poor weather conditions, sea ice conditions, and restricted periods of air gun operations due to environmental regulations are some of the challenges confronting the acquisition of towed streamer marine 3D seismic data in arctic regions.

During the summer of 2012, a large 3D towed streamer survey was undertaken in Baffin Bay, West of Greenland. The full desired survey area was approximately 8,650 km² and was located in water depths ranging between 280 and 820 meters.

Due to environmental restrictions related to the Greenland Narwhal whale migration period, the survey was permitted for only 76 days of air gun operations. During that period the area was infested with icebergs and berg remnants.

Given the time restrictions and expected challenges of towing streamers in proximity to moving icebergs, a number of seismic data acquisition techniques designed around the use of two streamer vessels were combined to maximize the 3D seismic coverage over the primary pre-plot area within the short acquisition window. 

Atlas Professionals provided during this period 26 Marine Mammal Seabird Observers to execute environmental impact assessments. These MMSO were present on eight vessels during a period of four months. The local content observers were trained by our highly qualified scientists. In the end a report was presented to Bureau of Mineral and Petroleum (BPM) showing all results of the environmental assessments.