TGS-NOPEC (UK) Ltd. is pleased to announce the completion of data processing of its 4,040 km non exclusive FSB-2000 seismic and marine gravity survey. This survey, together with the associated Faroe Shetland Basin 1999 survey (FSB-99) provides an integrated regional grid of approximately 9,500 km of modern 2D data in this important area of UK exploration.
Both surveys were acquired under the DTI/UKOOA Open Access Initiative, which enabled the tying of all the most recent wells in the area covered by the survey. It is thought that some of these wells, although tight, may have encountered hydrocarbons.
FSB-2000 and FSB-99 identify a number of possible hydrocarbon plays in designated and undesignated areas in the Faroe Shetland Basin. Both surveys show that the Eocene fan system, Tertiary inversion structures, and Mesozoic grabens and horsts both within the main basin and below the basalts are far more extensive than is generally indicated in the literature. There are numerous indications of the presence of an active hydrocarbon system.
FSB-2000 was acquired by M/V Professor Polshkov, equipped with a 6000 m cable and 3800 cu in sleeve airguns. Data processing was carried out at TGS-NOPEC’s Processing Centre in Bedford UK. Marine gravity data, which is an extremely valuable tool in the seismic interpretation of basalt-prone areas was also acquired, and has been processed by TGS-NOPEC’s potential fields division in Nærsnes.
FSB-2000, together with FSB-99, provides an extensive set of modern seismic data which extends through the Faroe Shetland Basin and ties with TGS-NOPEC’s Møre South 1999 Survey in Norway. These surveys will be of relevance both to companies working on models of the structural development and hydrocarbon prospectivity of the UK, Faroes and Norway sectors of the north-eastern Atlantic margin, as well as those companies focusing on block-specific prospectivity for the UK 19th Licensing Round.