By Mabel Adorkor Annang
The Petroleum Commission and Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS), have signed a three-year multiclient survey agreement for the acquisition of seismic data in the Tano Basin.
Senior Vice President for Africa and the Middle East at PGS, Mr. Chris Drage, said the company will invest in reprocessing available data to improve the quality of the data and attract investors.
The Multiclient Survey, which is called the Mega Survey, began in 2001 in the North Sea. It has large, modern datasets using public and PGS-owned 3D System.
The multiclient survey programme with the Petroleum Commission, when completed, will be used for roadshows to promote the acreage and get potential oil companies to take blocks in the Tano Basin.
Signing the agreement at the Upstream Petroleum Data Workshop in Accra, the Senior Vice President for Africa and the Middle East at PGS, Mr. Chris Drage, said PGS will invest $2 million to reprocess the data.
“The improved quality of the data will be used to show potential investors the value and opportunities in Ghana. And the quality of the data will mean they are more likely to invest. We will invest the best part of 2 million dollars to reprocess the data.”
Chief Executive of the Petroleum Commission, Mr. Egbert Faibille, said the Multiclient seismic data acquisition agreement is timely.
“Our decision to go with multiclient seismic data acquisition, is not just lip service but also something that is very concrete. And which we seek to use as a signpost to get more investments to Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector. Data, no matter when you acquire it, is good.
However, by reason of time and also advances in technology, if you are not careful, data that you got a year or two ago, because of evolving technology when you look at it and want to take a decision as to where to drill.
You would not have the feeling that you should drill because it’s not been processed or reprocessed to the point where there is a lot of clarity.”
At the Upstream Petroleum Data Workshop, geoscientists showcased the available offshore acreage opportunities in Ghana to attract potential investors.