Broadband Acoustic Seismic Source (BASS)

Marine seismic acquisition uses principles of reflection seismology i.e. transmitting acoustic energy into the earth and monitoring the reflections, to derive the properties of the subsurface. The transmitted energy conventionally comes from devices called airguns that use a sudden release of compressed air to generate an acoustic impulse. The BASS project aims to develop a new type of source that utilizes a submerged vibrating device to transmit precisely controlled acoustic frequencies over an increased period of time, similar to the more widely used land vibrators in onshore exploration. The carefully selected, longer duration and lower peak output would significantly reduce the potential environmental impact, and would be more benign to marine life, such as the cetaceans that have been at the forefront of the research in this field. While marine-vibrators have been attempted in the past, certain challenges and shortcomings have always prevented them from being widely adopted. We now understand the market needs, system requirements, and technologies that are required, and are ready to test innovative technologies that can be integrated in a full system solution. This system would improve the seismic images and knowledge of the subsurface, while reducing the environmental footprint of acquisition.

Project BASS, through the development period from 2017 to 2021, has reached sufficient technical maturity to enter into the industrialization phase. The technical risk on most sub-systems is reduced through successful demonstrations of performance in lake tests, and through lab testing and validation. The project has now entered the industrialization phase and a new collaboration project together with Equinor, Vår Energi and Lundin Energy Norway with Shearwater as project owner. The project will aim to complete remaining portion of the industrialization phase for this technology and make it ready for commercialization. Under the new collaboration, the partners will contribute with funding and commitment to the project.