Royal Dutch Shell has awarded a contract for the execution of a seabed survey in Kenya to detect natural leakages of hydrocarbons to Fugro.
The seeps survey complements a seismic exploration programme that was completed recently offshore Kenya. Undertaking a four-week campaign of multi-beam data acquisition and precise sampling, Fugro will mobilise its specialised survey vessel, Fugro Discovery, to Kenya this month.
Seabed sampling will be carried out using a drop corer and multi-beam data will be acquired with the latest deepwater high resolution multi-beam echo sounder, installed in a newly designed gondola on the vessel hull. Managed under a joint Fugro-Shell Safety Leadership programme, the project optimises both companies’ expertise in efficient and safe delivery.
Peter Boon, regional business development manager for Fugro in Africa comments, ‘Seeps surveys are an important part of Fugro’s site characterisation services and we are very pleased to reintroduce the Fugro Discovery to African waters, where she will demonstrate the excellent value they represent when exploration budgets are limited. These important seabed surveys support the decision making process for drilling operations, especially in frontier regions like East Africa.’
