CGG Multi-Physics has announced completion of the acquisition, processing and interpretation of a multi-client airborne gravity and magnetic survey of approximately 38,000 line km over the Perdido Fold Belt.

Data acquisition of area AOI 1 was completed in December 2016 utilizing a Basler geophysical survey aircraft. This survey is the first of six areas to be acquired in a wider program totaling 200,000 line km across the Mexican Gulf of Mexico. Additional acquisition in the other areas indicated in the map below is planned for 2018.

Location of AOI 1 and other areas proposed in CGG’s multi-client airborne GravMag program offshore Mexico.

The newly acquired Perdido Fold Belt data has shown an interesting correlation of significant discoveries along the flanks of basement topography. The data and interpretation will help explorers map crystalline basement, which is not well imaged by seismic, to construct an improved Earth Model. The airborne survey also collected continuous data through the “transition zone” from the marine environment to onshore.

The comprehensive interpretation, combining this new data set with available geologic and geophysical data, was undertaken by CGG’s in-house interpretation team in Houston. A full geophysical interpretation report, which includes mapping of basement, sediment and any intrusives or salt which may be present, will provide important insights to exploration and de-risking of prospective areas by oil companies. Greg Paleolog, Senior Vice President, Multi-Physics, CGG, said: "The results of this first survey in our wider airborne GravMag program offshore Mexico reinforce our belief that this extensive new program, when combined with our other seismic, geologic and satellite multi-client data in Mexico, will give the industry access to a unique geoscience library to support the future exploration and economic development of this high-potential area.”