WesternGeco closes Lower 48, Canadian land seismic operations

WesternGeco said Oct. 21 that it is closing its land seismic operations in the U.S. Lower 48 states and Canada “due to sustained unprofitable market conditions.”

The company said downsizing is also expected in other areas, with about 1,200 employees to be affected worldwide by the end of the year.

WesternGeco said that land operations will continue in Alaska and Mexico and in “other economically viable areas worldwide.”

The company said the move is part of a restructuring to decrease “emphasis on conventional seismic operations, which have been severely impacted by commodity pricing, excess risk, and difficult terms over the last 10 years.”

While remaining active in defined land and marine exploration sectors, WesternGeco said it “is accelerating its move toward the production side of the E&P business, providing comprehensive seismic-based reservoir information solutions to the engineering and production asset teams.”

“The action we’ve taken is an inevitable result of the high-risk, no-return state of affairs in the seismic industry,” said WesternGeco President Gary Jones. “We will focus on customers and geographical areas where the value we provide is recognized, and will concentrate our growth in providing advanced reservoir information technology. This move is another step in our long-term commitment to sound business practices, including shutting down losing operations and exiting markets where reasonable terms and conditions do not prevail. However, given fair compensation and acceptable terms, our services are available everywhere to everyone.”