THe USGS is a top down study based on the current geological...

THe USGS is a top down study based on the current geological data set.

As new data is discovered by explorers the US geologists will update their forecasts and estimates.

If a region has been extensively drilled their forecasts will have a high reliability. Alternatively, if dealing with a frontier region such as deep plays off Senegal the USGS is of marginal utility except to state that nothing has been discovered and potential reasons for that situation.

Since Shell have the 3D seismic and the CSEM dataset as a drill decision enabler the USGS material is of little or really no relevance. Shell would not be there if there was not a reason.

Shell committed the first vessel purpose built for CSEM within weeks of the option deal with FAR to get that dataset so Shell has hope [at least] for a discovery.