Int’l Firms to Help Nigeria Achieve High-Resolution Oil Exploration Drive in Niger Delta
By Naija Enquirer Staff
International energy service companies are set to support Nigeria’s renewed push for high-resolution oil and gas exploration in the Niger Delta, as the country intensifies efforts to strengthen crude production capacity and attract fresh upstream investment.
Shearwater Geoservices has announced plans to commence a new multi-client 3D seismic survey offshore Nigeria, marking a significant step in enhancing subsurface data availability across the Western Niger Delta Basin.
The project, which is backed by substantial industry funding, will be executed in partnership with Harvex Geosolutions and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). It is scheduled to begin at the end of 2025 and will run for an estimated two months.
Shearwater said the survey would be carried out using its advanced seismic vessel, SW Duchess, and would deliver high-resolution subsurface imaging to support exploration decisions and future licensing rounds in one of West Africa’s most prospective hydrocarbon regions.
The Western Niger Delta Basin remains central to Nigeria’s long-term oil and gas strategy, with authorities seeking to optimise existing assets while unlocking new exploration opportunities through improved data quality.
According to Shearwater’s Chief Executive Officer, Irene Waage Basili, the initiative reflects growing momentum in the company’s multi-client business and its expanding role in global exploration support.
“This project underscores the growing momentum of our multi-client business and our key role in supporting exploration across key global basins,” Basili said.
“By investing in high-quality seismic data, where we can both capture rapid returns and create longer-term value, we are enabling smarter decisions and helping to shape the future of energy security in West Africa and beyond.”
Industry analysts note that access to modern, high-resolution seismic data is critical to restoring investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream sector, particularly as global energy markets become increasingly competitive.
The new survey aligns with Nigeria’s broader objective of boosting exploration activity, improving resource mapping, and sustaining crude oil production at a time when the global energy transition is accelerating.
