Shell and PGS Develop Game-changing Fiber-Optic Seismic System

BARCELONA, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Shell and PGS today announced a collaboration to develop an ultra-high channel count fiber-optic seismic sensing system. Higher channel counts with high quality sensors recover more seismic energy and help cancel noise. The improved resolution and imaging translate into better exploration decisions.

Shell intends to use this optical sensing system – based on PGS's existing fiber-optic technology – for onshore exploration as well as reservoir monitoring. It will enable scalability far beyond what is currently available. It should also overcome some of the challenges the industry faces with conventional systems when scaling up the number of channels, such as the lowering of system weight that is crucial during field operations.

"This is the latest of a series of initiatives that Shell has been undertaking recently to improve seismic data quality. Prompting this collaboration were Shell technologists who first recognized the potential breakthrough innovation of applying PGS' underlying OptoSeis™ technology for onshore seismic," said Dirk Smit, Vice President, Exploration Technology at Shell. "This is a clear demonstration of how Shell seeks to deliver technology solutions quickly and efficiently. Integration is key. Given that most of this technology is in existence today, we anticipate a relatively low development risk and expect to deploy the first system soon."

"The system will be yet another game changer in our industry. PGS is pleased to have secured the confidence of Shell, a technology and business leader, to collaborate on this important development," says Thorbjorn Rekdal, Senior Vice President, Commercialization, PGS. "Oil is getting harder to find. For our client, it means more and better information from the reservoir. Superior data will help realize the full potential of both Shell and PGS seismic expertise, processing and imaging technology."

PGS currently offers Integrated Reservoir Services and full solutions based on the OptoSeis optical permanent reservoir monitoring systems that enable cost-effective time-lapse 4-component, or 4d- 4c, seismic to improve recovery from existing reservoirs. Synergies from this development effort will further enhance the competitive edge of PGS with its existing fiber-optic instrument offering to the seismic industry for permanent reservoir monitoring, or life-of-field seismic.

About Petroleum Geo-Services, PGS:

PGS is a focused geophysical company providing a broad range of seismic and reservoir services, including acquisition, processing, interpretation, and field evaluation. The company also possesses the world's most extensive multi-client data library. PGS operates on a worldwide basis with headquarters at Lysaker, Norway.

For more information on Petroleum Geo-Services visit www.pgs.com.

About Royal Dutch Shell:

Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE: RDSA) is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 100 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com.

SOURCE Shell Oil Company