Back on 28 April 2022, Searcher Geodata UK Ltd, applied for an Environmental Clearance Certificate for a multiclient 3D seismic survey in the Orange Basin (see map below), which included PCL Block 2713 (PEL87). Link below.
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3794_Proof of Consultation_Multiclient 3D Seismic Survey_Area of Interest_Blocks 2713_2712A_2812A_2813B_2912_2913B and 2914A Orange Basin_Offshore Southern Namibia.pdf (the-eis.com)
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I've also noticed that on the Nambian Government website (link below) the Searcher Geodata ECC (Environmental Clearance Certificate) has a Project Status as
REVIEW IN PROGRESS. I am unsure how recent this is and will continue to search for additional information. If a 3D Seismic Survey is to occur in Block 2713 (PEL87) in Jan 2023, the Project Status will need to move from
Review in Progress to
Approved. We should know shortly I supposed.................
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"The ECC is required by the Proponent for the proposed Multiclient or Proprietary 3D Seismic Survey covering Blocks 2513, 2613, 2614B, 2713, 2714A, 2714B, Kudu Gas Field 2814A, and 2814B and Portions of Blocks 2813A, 2814B, 2914A, 2915 and 2815, Orange and Lüderitz Basins, Offshore Southern Namibia."
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221213000687 - Proposed Multiclientor Proprietary 3D Seismic Survey covering Blocks 2513, 2613, 2614B,2713,2714A, 2714B, Kudu Gas Field 2814A, and 2814B and Portions of Blocks 2813A,2814B, 2914A, 2915 and 2815, Orange and Lüderitz Basins, Offshore SouthernNamibia
The ECC is required by the Proponentfor the proposed Multiclient or Proprietary 3D Seismic Survey covering Blocks2513, 2613, 2614B, 2713, 2714A, 2714B, Kudu Gas Field 2814A, and 2814B andPortions of Blocks 2813A, 2814B, 2914A, 2915 and 2815, Orange and LüderitzBasins, Offshore Southern Namibia. The water depths of the proposed 63780 km23D seismic survey Area of Interest (AOI) range from ca-200 m to ca-2500 m fromeast to west, respectively. Seismic survey is a key tool that resources companiesexploring for hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas) use to map the subsurface andkilometres below the ground on land (onshore) or in the sea (offshore). Thebasic principle of seismic survey method is the application of controlledgeneration of sound / acoustic waves by a seismic source to obtain an image ofthe subsurface. The generated acoustic wave that travels deep into the earth,is reflected by the various rock formations of the earth and returns to thesurface where it is recorded and measured by receiving devices calledhydrophones. Airguns are the most common sound source used in modern offshoreseismic surveys. An airgun is an underwater pneumatic device from whichhigh-pressure air is released suddenly into the surrounding water. On release ofpressure the resulting bubble pulsates rapidly producing an acoustic signalthat is proportional to the rate of change of the volume of the bubble. Thefrequency of the signal depends on the energy of the compressed air prior todischarge. Arrays of airguns are made up of towed parallel strings. A singleairgun could typically produce sound levels of the order of 220 - 230 dB re 1mPa @ 1 m, while arrays produce sounds typically in the region of 250 dB re 1mPa @ 1 m. Most of the energy produced is in the range of between 0 - 120 Hzbandwidth, although energy at much higher frequencies is also produced andrecorded. High-resolution surveys and shallow penetration surveys requirerelatively high frequencies of between 100 – 1, 000 Hz, while the optimum wavelengthfor deep seismic work is in the 10 - 80 Hz range. During the survey operation,the seismic vessel records the data from all the hydrophones, includingaccurate coordinates of the vessel and its hydrophones. The proposed 3D seismicsurvey will employ numerous streamers and multiple hydrophones, providingenough data to give a detailed subsurface profile of the rock layers of thearea of interest. The depths of the reflecting layers are calculated from thetime taken for the sound to reach the hydrophones via the reflector. Byanalysing the time, it takes for the seismic waves to travel between the rockformations and the surface, geophysicists, geologists, and petroleum engineersuse sophisticated software to create subsurface images /maps showing potentialdrill-ready subsurface geological structures called reservoirs that may containhydrocarbons.
Project status REVIEW IN PROGRESS
For furtherinformation contact:
Ministry of Environment and Tourism
Department of Environmental Affairs
(+264 -61) 284 2701 (T)
(+264-61) 240 339 (F)
http://www.met.gov.na
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Link to text
Proposed 3D Seismic Survey covering Blocks 2713, 2712A, 2712B, 2812B, and 2812A and Portions of Blocks 2813B, 2813A, 2814B, 2714B, 2714A, 2614 2613, 2612A and 2612B, Orange and Lüderitz Basins, Offshore Southern Namibia (gov.na)
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Kind regards OldGeo
(20min delay)