Petroleum Geo Services News

Oslo-listed seismic surveyor Polarcus has defaulted on its bank loans and bonds, it said on Tuesday, sending the company's shares plunging more than 30%.Polarcus and other seismic surveyors have been hit by weak demand as oil companies slash spending on geological data amid the coronavirus pandemic and last year's crash in the price of crude."The company intends to pursue all available options with a view to ensuring the financial sustainability of the company and in the meantime will halt all payments of interest and amortization to finance providers…

Norwegian seismic services provider Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) said that key areas for the 2020 Malaysia Licensing Round are covered by the PGS Sabah MC3D program.Data is available to evaluate the petroleum potential of the highly prospective offshore Sabah province, said a press note from the geophysical company.Over 47 000 sq. km high-resolution 3D data is available for Sabah, covering new opportunities near established plays in this exciting hydrocarbon province.Block SB-2T on the 2020 bid round is almost entirely covered by Sabah MC3D. SB-2T lies in the proven fold and thrust belt and is surrounded by producing oil and gas fields.

Norwegian seismic services provider Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) said that beam migrated data is now available for viewing on its latest 3D GeoStreamer seismic survey over Angola blocks for the 2021 bid round.Modern imaging will unlock links between onshore and offshore presalt and postsalt plays.“Our initial coverage of shallow blocks six to eight will allow interested E&P companies a head start on de-risking prospectivity of the area ahead of bid submissions in 2021”, says Christine Roche, New Ventures Manager for PGS in Angola.Commercial, strategic and technical benefits are available to early participants in the survey. Preferential…

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) and Norwegian marine seismic specialist Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) announced the Torngat 3D multi-client project in Offshore East Canada.Torngat 3D will cover approximately 3,287 km2 and encompasses sections of the open acreage included in the Labrador South November 2021 bid round, said a press release from TGS, provider of multi-client geoscience data to oil and gas Exploration and Production companies worldwide.PGS’ Ramform Titan will perform the acquisition, utilizing Geostreamer technology. The project is expected to commence in late July 2019.The Torngat 3D survey sits within Labrador Sea’s southern sedimentary basins where frontier exploration has already successfully identified hydrocarbons…

Norwegian seismic player Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (PGS) updated on changes of the contract for the 3D survey in South America announced November 14, 2018.The vessels Ramform Atlas and Ramform Tethys mobilized early December 2018 for this survey. The contract had an estimated total duration of approximately 13 vessel months and an estimated value in excess of $75 million, the marine geophysical company said.Due to unresolved issues affecting the survey, both vessels have been on paid standby from December 23, 2018.The client, ExxonMobil, has notified PGS that the Ramform Atlas is no longer required. PGS will receive payment for mobilization, work performed, standby and demobilization.

Exxon Mobil Corp said on Wednesday its oil drilling and development activities offshore Guyana were unaffected despite neighboring Venezuela's navy stopping two seismic survey vessels the company had hired.The closest of 10 oil finds Exxon has made off Guyana's coast is 110 kilometers (68 miles) away from the northwest part of the Stabroek block, where the navy halted seismic data collection on Saturday, the company said. Each country's government says the incident took place in its territorial waters."Exploration and development drilling is continuing in the southeast area of the Stabroek Block," the company said in a statement. Exxon did not say whether the two vessels…

Venezuela's navy "intercepted" a ship exploring for oil on behalf of Exxon Mobil Corp in Guyanese waters over the weekend, Guyana's foreign ministry said in a statement, while neighboring Venezuela said the incident occurred within its territory.The latest incident in a century-old border dispute comes after a series of offshore oil discoveries have given Guyana the potential to become one of Latin America's largest producers. In OPEC member Venezuela, by contrast, crude output has tumbled to the lowest levels in nearly 70 years amid an economic crisis.The Ramform Tethys vessel…

The Venezuela's navy on Saturday "intercepted" a ship exploring for oil on behalf of Exxon Mobil Corp. in Guyanese waters, neighboring Guyana's foreign ministry said in a statement, in the latest incident in a century-old border dispute.A series of offshore oil discoveries in recent years have given Guyana the potential to become one of Latin America's largest producers. In OPEC member Venezuela, by contrast, crude output has tumbled to its lowest levels in nearly 70 years amid an economic crisis.The Ramform Tethys vessel, which belongs to Norwegian company Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) and was conducting seismic survey work on behalf of Exxon…

Norwegian seismic services provider Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) has offered to sell the Ramform Sterling vessel to the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC).The seismic services that help oil companies to find oil and gas reserves offshore worldwide said in a press release that it had been informed that JOGMEC, an incorporated administrative agency of Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry, is the preferred tenderer and that negotiations would be initiated with the aim of concluding necessary contracts."PGS has now been informed that the Company is the preferred tenderer, and negotiations will be initiated with the aim of concluding necessary contracts. A final award to PGS will only take place if and when all contracts have been concluded.

TGS and Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) announce the commencement of a new 3D multi-client project in East Canada. The new Tablelands 3D Geostreamer survey will cover approximately 8,000 km² in an active Newfoundland area of the Flemish Pass and Orphan Basins. Acquisition is expected to complete in late Q3 2018. Following this eighth consecutive season of data acquisition offshore East Canada, the jointly-owned library will have more than 175,000 km of 2D GeoStreamer data and approximately 36,500 km2 of 3D GeoStreamer data. An expansive well log library is also available in the region, along with advanced multi-client interpretation products that will improve play, trend and prospect delineation.

The Board of Directors of Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (PGS) has appointed Rune Olav Pedersen (47) as the new President & CEO of the Company. He will succeed Jon Erik Reinhardsen on 1 September 2017. "The Board has run a thorough succession process since early spring, and assessed a number of very qualified Norwegian and international candidates. With the appointment of Mr. Pedersen, PGS will get a CEO with deep knowledge of the Company and industry and with strong execution capabilities. We look forward to working closely with Mr. Pedersen in the time to come," says Chairperson Walter Qvam. Rune Olav Pedersen has worked in PGS for 7 years and comes from the position of Executive Vice President & General Counsel.

Seatrials are underway in Japan involving Ramform Hyperion, the last of four ships built to the seismic sector’s all-time highest specifications, completing a project that shows the way distinctive design also demands innovation from the equipment keeping ships safely in service. Reckoned to be the widest monohulls at the waterline ever built, the Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) vessels need a unique Vestdavit dual point boat handling solution to lift and lower tender boats in wave heights up to sea state 6. The boats work as Fast Rescue Craft with six crew, as tenders with 20 persons on board and as lifeboats with capacity for 40. Ramform Hyperion…

Petroleum Geo-Services ASA reported revenue fall in their recently released Second Quarter and First Half 2016 Results. It logged a healthy MultiClient Sales and continues to undertake cost reductions. "With the gradual recovery of the oil price from its lows in early Q1, we are starting to see early signs of a stabilizing market and improving sentiment," observed Jon Erik Reinhardsen, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that this has started to impact our MultiClient performance positively. The marine contract market is still characterized by very low pricing, but here too we see indications of more predictable patterns in customer survey planning and contracting processes.

Bjarte Bruheim has decided to step down as Chief Executive Officer of Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA with immediate effect. He has held this position since 7 January 2015, and before that, he held the position as the company's executive chairman since 2004. The board of directors wishes to express its gratitude to Bjarte Bruheim for his valuable contribution to the company through many years. EMGS has initiated a search for a new CEO. Until a permanent CEO is in place, Stig Eide Sivertsen has been appointed new CEO. As the CEO cannot be a member of the board of directors, according to the Norwegian Public Limited Liability Companies Act, Sivertsen has voluntarily resigned as board member with immediate effect. Sivertsen has served on the Board and chaired the Company's audit committee.

Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (PGS) commenced operations of a MultiClient 2D seismic program offshore Mexico on May 16th. The two 2D vessels Atlantic Explorer and Sanco Spirit will acquire multiple projects recently approved by the Mexican government. The first program to be acquired is the Mexico Well Tie MC2D which will provide clients with an excellent grounding for understanding the hydrocarbon prospectivity in the area. Fast track products will be available in June 2015. "PGS is proud to conduct its first commercial seismic acquisition project in Mexico after approval of the Mexican Energy Reform," says Gregg Parker, Regional President NSA MultiClient in PGS.

Oslo, Norway, Petroleum Geo-Services ASA informed today that Oslo District Court in its judgment of 13 February 2015 ruled in favor of PGS in the lawsuit filed by ElectroMagnetic GeoServices ASA ('EMGS') against PGS for patent infringement relating to PGS' Towed Streamer EM technology. The court found that EMGS' patent NO 324 454 (the 'EMGS Patent') is invalid and that PGS' Towed Streamer EM system therefore does not infringe the EMGS Patent. PGS was also awarded legal fees of NOK 15,292,917. Oslo District Court found that all the elements of the EMGS Patent were sufficiently described (anticipated) by four independent written articles (prior art). The judgment was thorough and well written, and its conclusion as expected by PGS.

As previously announced, Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) has issued claims against Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) in the High Court of Justice, Patent Court, in London, UK, and in Norwegian courts on the basis that PGS used its Towed Streamer EM in the territory of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway in violation of one of EMGS' patents. On 13 February 2015, EMGS received the decision of the Oslo City Court where EMGS' patent is found to be invalid. EMGS has decided to appeal the decision. EMGS successfully defended the patent against claims of invalidity from Schlumberger Holding Ltd in the Netherlands, in February 2008 and in the UK Court of Appeal in July 2010 and through several oppositions in the European Patent Office appeal division in December 2011.

Petroleum Geo-Services ASA ('PGS' or the 'Company') today announces that Oslo District Court in its judgment of 13 February 2015 ruled in favor of PGS in the lawsuit filed by ElectroMagnetic GeoServices ASA ('EMGS') against PGS for patent infringement relating to PGS' Towed Streamer EM technology. The court found that EMGS' patent NO 324 454 (the 'EMGS Patent') is invalid and that PGS' Towed Streamer EM system therefore does not infringe the EMGS Patent. PGS was also awarded legal fees of NOK 15,292,917. Oslo District Court found that all the elements of the EMGS Patent were sufficiently described (anticipated) by four independent written articles (prior art). The judgment was thorough and well written, and its conclusion as expected by PGS.

Petroleum Geo-Services ASA announced today that it has implemented further steps to streamline operations, reduce cost and capital expenditures and improve cash flow. PGS has stacked, and will consider selling or scrapping, the seismic vessels Pacific Explorer and Nordic Explorer. The seismic vessel Atlantic Explorer which is currently conducting a 2D survey will be taken permanently down to 2D mode and is planned to be used as a combined 2D, source and EM acquisition vessel. PGS has received notification from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. ("MHI") that delivery of the Company's two last Ramform Titan class new builds will be delayed by 2 and 4 months. New delivery dates provided by MHI are August 31, 2015 and January 31, 2016.

From November 20th Magne Reiersgard, Executive Vice President (EVP) Operations, and Per Arild Reksnes, EVP Marine Contract of Petroleum Geo-Services, will change roles, with Mr. Reiersgard becoming EVP Marine Contract and Mr. Reksnes becoming EVP Operations. Both positions will be based in Oslo as before, but Mr. Reiersgard who has his family in Houston, the world's no. 1 hub for oil and gas companies, will spend a considerable share of his time there, attending key customers in the region. Mr. Reksnes will capitalize on his experience from the business side to take our effort to improve the reliability and performance of Operations to the next level.

Adonis AS (Adonis), a provider of global maritime HR solutions, announced that Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) has implemented Adonis Personnel Manager (APM) to automate crew planning processes for its multinational maritime workforce. The solution will enable PGS to simplify the management of crew rotations and centralize major crewing processes, such as Visa applications, work permits and compliance with maritime requirements (offshore certificates, valid medical certificates, etc.), all from a single platform.

Odfjell SE held a general meeting November 12, 2014 at which the nomination committee elected Annette Malm Justad as its new director of the board. Annette Malm Justad is a Norwegian citizen born in 1958. She has a master's degree in chemical engineering from the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH) and a master in technology management from MIT Sloan School of Management. She has a broad experience in logistics, marketing and purchasing within manufacturing and industrial shipping in Europe…

As a part of the plan to restructure PGS business activities in Asia Pacific the Company has decided to relocate its regional headquarters from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur ("KL"). The move will result in consolidation and centralization of resources and lead to improved competitive advantage and reduced costs, all of which are important in the current challenging market. KL is the hub of the vibrant and active domestic Malaysian exploration and production market. The Imaging center in the city is one of PGS' busiest, carrying a significant part of the Company's load for imaging worldwide. By locating the regional headquarters in KL PGS will get closer interaction with the major international oil companies established there as well as the national oil company Petronas…