TGS wins Namibia seismic contract

Norwegian energy data company TGS has secured a contract to conduct ocean bottom node (OBN) seismic work offshore Namibia, adding to activity in the country's emerging oil and gas industry.

The contract will see a specialised deep-water crew mobilise in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the work expected to last approximately 120 days.

TGS did not disclose the value of the contract, the identity of its client or the specific offshore licence area where the work will be carried out.

The company said the contract was awarded by an existing customer and would provide employment visibility for one of its OBN crews into the second quarter of 2027.

TGS chief executive Kristian Johansen said the award reflected an improving pipeline of opportunities for ocean bottom node surveys in 2027, particularly in the South Atlantic basins.

“We are very pleased to secure this OBN contract offshore Namibia for a repeat customer, providing visibility for one of our OBN crews into the second quarter of next year,” Johansen said.

“There is an improving pipeline of OBN opportunities for 2027, with activity predominantly centred around the South Atlantic basins,” he added.

Johansen said the company would use its seismic acquisition capabilities to provide data to help its client make informed decisions about further field development.

Understanding the technology

Ocean bottom node surveys involve placing seismic sensors on the seabed to record sound waves generated by specialised sources. The waves travel through underground rock formations and are reflected back to the sensors, allowing geophysicists to build detailed images of the subsurface.

The resulting data helps oil and gas companies understand reservoir structures, assess geological formations and make decisions about exploration, appraisal and field development.

OBN technology is particularly useful in deep-water environments and can provide detailed subsurface information in areas where conventional seismic acquisition methods may have limitations.

Namibia's offshore activity

The contract comes as Namibia continues to attract international investment in its offshore petroleum sector, particularly in the Orange Basin, where several significant oil discoveries have been made.

TotalEnergies, which completed its acquisition of operatorship of Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 83 in September, holds a 40% interest in the licence containing the Mopane discovery. The company is planning a three-well exploration and appraisal campaign to advance the project, with a potential final investment decision targeted for 2028. 

The Venus discovery, held under petroleum exploration licence 56, is another major development prospect. TotalEnergies is also the operator of that licence and has been progressing technical and development preparations towards a potential investment decision. 

TGS is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, and provides energy data, seismic acquisition and geophysical services to companies involved in exploration and production worldwide.