Extent of the Bapco FalconPlus survey area. Existing seismic and well data will be included in the interpretation of the new data set (illustration: GGC)

CGG has completed the acquisition and processing of the first ever Airborne Gravity Gradiometry (AGG) survey of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Conducted on behalf of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), this was the first commercial survey to be acquired worldwide using Falcon®Plus, the newest release in CGG’s highly successful suite of Falcon AGG systems and the lowest-noise AGG system available today.

A data set of around 18,000 km of high-resolution, low-noise AGG and magnetic data is now available over approximately 7,700 km2 of open exploration acreage across the Kingdom’s offshore licensing blocks. The data set and integrated interpretation products will help Bapco and future license holders better evaluate their hydrocarbon potential and identify priority areas for exploration in advance of future licensing rounds.

CGG will work with Bapco to deliver a comprehensive integrated study that will combine the AGG data with existing seismic, well and other geological information to help improve the seismic imaging and interpretation of existing seismic vintages over the area and also improve prospectivity.

The study will also help to develop improved velocity models for the mitigation of near-surface effects. This will enhance industry understanding of the region’s challenging Pre-Khuff section, as well as help image salt thickness and the edges of salt flanks to identify potential prospects and leads created by salt bodies.

Mr. Yahya Al Ansari, Bapco’s Exploration Manager, says, “The Kingdom of Bahrain will benefit from the additional, geological insight brought by the higher sensitivity of the CGG FalconPlus data and its subsequent integration with our existing information. The integrated study is expected to provide a valuable platform for Bapco and our future partners to target and develop new petroleum resources in the Kingdom.”

Pascal Rouiller, COO, CGG, says, “CGG has a long history of conducting successful geophysical survey projects in the Middle East, and notably Bahrain, where we are delighted to have another opportunity to work with Bapco. FalconPlus builds on the success of our Falcon AGG system to deliver uncompromised gravity data to the petroleum exploration industry. Its deployment in this prolific petroleum province will give Bapco, and future license operators, access to the highest-quality data to inform their geological decisions.”

Tags: Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), CGG