Shearwater and SLB Kick Off 3D Seismic Campaign in the Amapá Basin Offshore Brazil

Geophysical survey specialist Shearwater GeoServices and SLB (formerly Schlumberger) have begun acquiring 3D seismic data over the Amapá Basin, a frontier exploration area located offshore Brazil’s northern coast near the border with French Guiana.

Seismic surveys of this kind use sound waves to image subsurface rock layers, allowing exploration teams to identify potential hydrocarbon traps before any drilling decision is made. In frontier basins like Amapá — where well control is sparse — 3D data is often the deciding factor in whether operators commit capital to exploration wells.

The campaign underscores continued exploration interest along Brazil’s equatorial margin, a stretch of Atlantic coastline that has drawn comparisons to the petroleum systems of West Africa. Shearwater, which operates a modern fleet of seismic vessels, is handling acquisition, while SLB brings subsurface interpretation and geoscience capabilities to the partnership.

For SLB, the project fits its broader strategy of supplying subsurface technology and digital services to upstream operators worldwide, rather than holding drilling rights itself. Seismic acquisition contracts provide the services company with revenue tied to exploration activity cycles rather than commodity prices directly.

SLB shares were trading at $57.10 in recent activity, up 0.18% from the prior close of $57.00, valuing the company at roughly $84.7 billion.

Brazil remains one of the most active offshore exploration venues globally, with regulator ANP maintaining a steady cadence of licensing rounds. Activity in the Amapá segment adds to a growing portfolio of surveys along the equatorial margin, where several operators have secured blocks in recent years.

What to watch

• Completion timeline for the Amapá 3D acquisition and delivery of processed data to clients.
• Any operator announcements on exploration drilling commitments in the Amapá Basin blocks.
• SLB’s upcoming quarterly earnings, where management typically details backlog and activity levels across its geographic segments.
• ANP licensing developments along Brazil’s equatorial margin that could drive additional seismic demand.

Source: original release