Annual Report 2011 - PGS

Data Processing and Technology
PGS’ strong service capabilities in the
identification and characterization of complex
reservoirs.
PGS typically spends more than USD 60 million
annually on research and development. In 2011,
R&D expenditures were slightly higher, due to
greater investments in developing a towed EM
solution that can be commercially launched in
the second half of 2012.
GeoSource
GeoSource was officially introduced at the
EAGE conference in 2011. GeoSource is a
source de-ghosting application developed for
GeoStreamer data. The combined technologies,
called GeoStreamer GS, provide a full deghosting
solution: GeoStreamer eliminates
the receiver ghost and GeoSource eliminates
the source ghost. GeoStreamer GS further
improves GeoStreamer’s bandwidth and gives
unrivaled image resolution. (See business case
on page 37 for more details.)
Marine Acquisition Technology
Significant R&D efforts continue to improve
all elements of the Company’s acquisition
systems and capabilities, including ongoing
development of PGS’ proprietary GeoStreamer
technology.
The GeoStreamer steering system, called eBird,
developed in cooperation with Kongsberg
Seatex, was first installed onboard a PGS 2D
vessel in 2009. 3D tests began in 2010 and a
complete commercial 3D spread was installed
onboard Ramform Challenger in 2011. The
next vessel to be equipped with eBird will be
the Ramform Vanguard in early 2012. One of
the main features of eBird is that its steering
wings are attached directly to the streamer.
This arrangement creates less drag and noise
compared to conventional devices and results
in safer and more efficient operations.
The next GeoStreamer development stage is
nearing completion. Acoustic pingers, which
provide streamer positioning, and retrievers
(for streamer recovery in the event of a rupture)
are being integrated within the streamer’s
casing. Embedding these devices, instead of
externally mounting them, results in less drag
and noise while making streamer deployment
and retrieval more efficient. Furthermore,
because these devices will get their power
directly from the streamer, there will be no
need for changing batteries in sea, making
operations a lot safer. The new in-line pingers
and retrievers are currently under development
and the Company expects delivery toward yearend
2012.
Modeling and Visualization
Successful seismic surveys require careful
planning to achieve the best-possible image
quality and optimal cost effectiveness. PGS
provides industry-leading survey planning,
a process enhanced by the Company’s
proprietary survey-planning software package,
Nucleus+. The software applies sophisticated
PGS typically spends
more than USD 60 million
annually on research and
development
Data Processing Revenues
In millions of US dollars
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2008 2009 2010 2011
PGS Annual Report 2011 35