This new technical cooperation agreement between Petrobras and CGGVeritas highlights the importance of geophysical studies to the future of O&G exploration in Brazil.
CGGVeritas has announced that it has signed a Technology Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with the Brazilian O&G player, Petrobras, for the collaborative development and implementation of new technologies in Geophysics. The TCA sets the framework for collaborative research projects between Petrobras and CGGVeritas over a three-year time period in specific areas such as 4D seismic processing, imaging and reservoir geophysics.
These research projects will be conducted at a recently opened CGGVeritas Technology Center in Rio de Janeiro. The TCA was signed by Robert Brunck, Chairman and CEO of CGGVeritas, at the inauguration ceremony for the new Technology Center. The Rio Technology Center is designed to offer O&G players in Brazil direct access to geophysical technology developed or customized by a dedicated R&D team focused on solving local geophysical challenges.
The Rio Technology Center is also developing partnerships with top universities recognized in Brazil as leaders in advanced geophysical studies such as the State University of Campinas, the Federal University of Pará, and the State University of North Fluminense.
Robert Brunck, Chairman and CEO of CGGVeritas, said: "We are extremely honored to sign this Technology Cooperation Agreement with Petrobras, a leading energy provider to whom we have had the privilege of providing seismic acquisition and processing services since 1961. We look forward to building on this successful partnership and widening our technical cooperation through the joint pursuit of strategic R&D projects for the development of innovative, customized technologies that will improve the understanding of the geological challenges prevalent here in Brazil and the wider Latin America region.”
CGGVeritas is a leading international geophysical company delivering a wide range of technologies, services and equipment through its parent company, Sercel, to its broad base of customers mainly throughout the global O&G industry.
If we look at the massive amount of exploration that is currently taking place off the Brazilian coast in shallow and deepwater prospects, the importance of this agreement becomes obvious. Seismic R&D is growing by leaps and bounds as new technologies are tested and introduced. 4D seismic imaging and interpretation is normally used more for production than exploration, but is very important when deciding production parameters.
The geophysical challenges posed by complex geological systems such as the pre-salt layers and their identification and understanding are massive and Petrobras and other players working the Brazilian fields are making major investments in these areas. At this point there are quite a few major laboratories dedicated to geophysical studies and seismic interpretation in operation in Rio de Janeiro, including labs run by SLB and Halliburton, and Petrobras, always seeking new knowledge, has its hand in each and every one of them.
Another important fact about these labs is that they raise the standard of geophysical studies in Brazil and open new doors for young geophysicists and subsea engineers to learn from the best researchers in the world and pave the way to consolidate Brazil´s position as one of the leading powers in geophysical studies in the world.
Claudio Paschoa
Image courtesy of CGGVeritas