Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Ltd plans to conduct 2D and 3D seismic survey operations within Petroleum Exploration Licences (PEL) 99 and 100, located in the Deepwater Walvis Basin offshore Namibia.
The oil and gas exploration company holds an 85% Working Interest in these licenses, which also include PELs Nos. 97 and 98.
The seismic survey will focus on selected areas of interest within PELs Nos. 99 and 100 at water depths ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 metres.
A specialised survey vessel will be utilised, employing a compressed air source along with hydrophone receivers.
According to the notice, “the proposed deepwater marine seismic survey will be conducted using a specialist survey vessel towing an energy source in the form of a compressed air source and hydrophone receivers”.
During the survey, compressed air will be released at regular intervals to generate seismic acoustic signals.
These signals penetrate the earth’s subsurface and reflect off various rock formations. The notice notes, “the generated acoustic waves travel deep into the subsurface of the earth and get reflected by various rock formations at different depths below the seafloor”.
The captured signals will be analysed by geophysicists, geologists and petroleum engineers using advanced software, which will produce subsurface maps indicating potential hydrocarbon reservoirs.
“Geophysicists, geologists, and petroleum engineers use sophisticated software to create subsurface images/maps showing potential subsurface geological structures called reservoirs,” the notice said.
The survey will implement both 2D and 3D methodologies. The 2D seismic survey serves as a regional mapping technique, aimed at creating a validated Sedimentary Basin Scale Model, while the 3D survey focuses on detailed local mapping to establish validated Prospect or Lead Scale Models.
To ensure compliance with environmental regulations, Eco (Atlantic) will follow international best practices and relevant laws, including MARPOL and Namibian maritime regulations.
The notice outlines that the survey will adopt measures such as “establishment of buffer zones, use of Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) & Fisheries Liaison Officers (FLOs), use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) technology, soft starts and pre-firing observations, and termination of firing in the 500m exclusion zone”.
Before commencing operations, Eco (Atlantic) must complete the application process for an Environmental Clearance Certificate as required by the Environmental Management Act of 2007.
The notice details that “the proposed seismic survey activities in PELS Nos. 99 and 100 cannot be undertaken without an Environmental Clearance Certificate”.
The company has appointed Risk-Based Solutions (RBS) CC to prepare the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Reports to support this application.
