Working for multi-client geoscience data company, TGS, Fugro continues the hunt for hydrocarbon seeps, this time offshore Brazil. Two modern, purpose-built vessels – Fugro Brasilis and Fugro Searcher – have been deployed to acquire high-resolution multibeam echosounder and sub-bottom profiler data in the Campos and Santos Basins.

The survey is designed to mirror TGS’s successful 2016-2017 Gigante and Otos projects in the Gulf of Mexico in which Fugro provided similar services. Covering an area of approximately 200,000 square kilometres, Fugro will use these data to identify and recommend the most prospective locations to target for geochemical sampling.

An actively seeping mud volcano as imaged by the MBE system of the Fugro Brasilis during calibration efforts.

Fugro has reported increased confidence in identifying seabed expressions of hydrocarbon seeps and this has led to continued vigorous demand for its combined multibeam mapping and surface geochemistry sampling services. “Integrating our high-resolution modern multibeam systems with our expert interpreters enhances the services we provide for our clients,” explains Jim Gharib, Fugro’s Global Product Manager for Seep Hunting and Geochemical Campaigns.

“We have been operating in Brazil for more than two decades, providing a wide variety of geotechnical, survey, subsea and geoscience services, principally for the deepwater oil and gas industry,” he added. For almost two decades Fugro has been at the forefront of modern marine seep-hunting operations in the energy sector and has led the market in integrated multibeam and geochemical coring campaigns.

Project deliverables will be used by energy companies to help optimise and refine their exploration and development activities in this prolific region.