CGGVeritas permitting seismic program

CGGVeritas is permitting a 3-D seismic exploration program for this winter on Alaska’s North Slope.

In a mid-December talk to the Alaska Geological Society Ed Duncan, president of Great Bear Petroleum, said Great Bear had contracted with CGGVeritas for 380 square miles of 3-D seismic, over what he described as “the central core of the ... Great Bear lease holding.”

CGGVeritas said in an application to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas that the survey will be on state lands beginning some 25 miles south of Prudhoe Bay along the western corridor of the Dalton Highway and proceeding westward.

CGGVeritas said it would acquire the seismic from Jan. 1 through May 31 and said it would be mobilizing its equipment and camp from its CGGVeritas Deadhorse location via the Dalton Highway.

The company said access and travel toward the program area would be determined based on weather, snow cover, ice depths and logistical considerations.

Twelve to 14 tracked vibrators will be used for seismic operations, supported by tracked cable trucks. The camp will house 160-180 in sled-mounted units including a kitchen and diner, sleeping areas, washrooms, offices, shops, generator rooms and storage compartments. CGGVeritas said that depending on the progress of the survey, the camp would move one to two miles every few days. During the active work season crews will travel to the camp by personnel carrier, bus or plane.

—Petroleum News