TGS-NOPEC LAUNCHES 2002 EASTERN CANADA CAMPAIGN

Houston, Texas, April 23, 2002 - TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA today announced plans to acquire 30,000 kilometers of multi-client 2D seismic data offshore Eastern Canada during the 2002 summer season.

The 2002 Offshore Canada Program will cover areas offshore Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador. This new project is designed to infill and complement TGS-NOPEC's existing 40,000 kilometers of multi-client seismic data currently available in the area.

"With support from key customers, TGS-NOPEC is pleased to add to our offshore Canada data library in such a significant way", said Kim Abdallah, Vice President of Sales & Program Development for the Americas. "We have gradually built our data base as well as our client base in Canada and the 2002 campaign will further that effort."

TGS-NOPEC will employ two seismic vessels in order to acquire the complete program in a single summer season. The Company has contracted the M/V Admiral from GSI and will also use the M/V Zephyr, which is on long-term charter to TGS-NOPEC. Acquisition will begin in May 2002. While the primary deliverable product will be from pre-stack time migration, a subset of the data will be processed with depth imaging techniques to expand TGS-NOPEC's ongoing regional Pre-Stack Depth Migration Program in the Nova Scotia area.

TGS-NOPEC is a leading global provider of non-exclusive seismic data and associated products to the oil and gas industry. Oil companies use this seismic data to explore for and develop oil and gas deposits. TGS-NOPEC specializes in the planning, acquisition, processing, interpretation, and marketing of non-exclusive surveys worldwide. The company places a strong emphasis on providing high quality seismic data and the highest level of service to the industry. TGS-NOPEC also offers proprietary seismic acquisition and processing services, as well as gravity and aeromagnetic surveys.