CGG to Start Mozambique Offshore Survey
France's CGG has signed a multi-client data agreement with Mozambican upstream regulator INP, as a result of which CGG will shortly begin acquiring a new multi-client survey of up to 40,000 km2 of offshore 3D data. Rosneft and ExxonMobil are expected to benefit.
Geosciences group CGG said August 31 that the new survey will cover the Beira High in the offshore Zambezi Delta. It said its role was agreed after a tender process held by INP in 2016.
The new survey will cover offshore blocks Z5-C and Z5-D -- both awarded jointly to Rosneft and ExxonMobil in October 2015 in Mozambique's fifth offshore licence round -- as well as surrounding open acreage.
The waters offshore Mozambique have yielded huge gas discoveries: Eni and partners have found some 85 trillion ft³ of gas resources in Area 4, while US firm Anadarko and its partners have found a further 75 trillion ft³ in their licence areas. This March, ExxonMobil agreed to farm into a 25% stake of Area 4, agreeing to pay Eni $2.8bn. East Africa's first liquefaction project, offshore Mozambique, is scheduled to start exports in mid-2022.
CGG's chief executive Jean-Georges Malcor said: "This agreement marks the beginning of a fruitful partnership with the INP to promote the potential of the Zambezi basin and other regions of Mozambique. Our advanced 3D seismic and integrated geoscience program will enable oil companies to confidently de-risk this exciting new exploration area and accelerate development of the country's resources."
Offshore blocks Z5-C and Z5-D are among those shown in green in the Mozambican 5th offshore licence round which closed July 2015 (Map credit: INP)
Mark Smedley