Aker BP Partners with PXGEO to Deploy Innovative Seismic Acquisition Technology

The collaboration will enable Aker BP to optimize its subsurface exploration and development activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

Aker BP has entered a strategic partnership with PXGEO, to deploy an innovative seismic acquisition technology that will enhance the quality and efficiency of its subsurface exploration and development activities.

Aker BP targets to maximize value creation and flow efficiency by working as «One Team» and through a LEAN operations philosophy. To achieve this, we recognize that a value chain with strategic partnerships and alliances is essential. We therefore work together with our strategic partners on common goals to ensure continual improvement and share benefits and risk.

Recent results in seismic imaging and seismic velocity model building obtained from OBN (Ocean Bottom Node) data on the Norwegian Continental Shelf demonstrate an excess quality potential to other seismic dataset obtain by other methods. As part of Aker BP’s vision and strategy going forward, we seek to obtain and acquire more of these data. However, we are challenged by the relatively high cost of such operations.

PXGEO operates MantaRay, a hovering autonomous underwater vehicle engineered by Manta to deploy and recover ocean bottom nodes with minimal impact to the ocean floor. The MantaRay technology has the potential to reduce a seismic survey operation time significantly. This will enable Aker BP to capture more detailed and accurate images of the subsurface, reduce operational risks and environmental footprint, and optimize its exploration and development activities in the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

The partnership with PXGEO is part of Aker BP’s strategy to leverage digitalization and innovation to create value and drive performance. Ocean Bottom Node seismic data has traditionally been time consuming and expensive to acquire, and the technology has mainly been used for development projects and 4D seismic surveys. Aker BP sees the potential for leveraging the new technology brought by PXGEO to acquire large-scale OBN exploration surveys.

«We are very excited to partner with PXGEO to deploy this innovative seismic acquisition technology on the NCS. The MantaRay technology will enable us to acquire high-quality seismic data in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible way, and support our ambition to deliver profitable and sustainable growth on the NCS,» says Per Øyvind Seljebotn, Senior Vice President Exploration & Reservoir Development at Aker BP.

Signing up for an innovative collaboration: Helene Hafslund Veire (VP Exploration & Reservoir Development, Aker BP), Peter Zickerman (Founder and Executive Chairman, PXGEO), Karl Johnny Hersvik (CEO, Aker BP) and John Scott (Head of Sales – Europe & Africa, PXGEO)