Cairn Chooses Russian X-Bow For Seismic Work Offshore India

Vyacheslav Tikhonov, image courtesy Gazprom

Singapore-based offshore specialist Nordic Maritime, in collaboration with Sovcomflot (SCF Geo), has been awarded a USD $23.5 million contract to provide 3D marine seismic data acquisition and processing services off the east coast of India to Cairn India Limited, starting later this month.

The contract will involve the use of the 2011-built, Ulstein-designed, 8-streamer seismic survey vessel, Vyacheslav Tikhonov.

During the course of the project, which is scheduled to commence this Saturday, the Vyacheslav Tikhonov will survey approximately 1,023 sq km of sea floor over the course of three months and include the acquisition of gravity and magnetic data alongside the seismic data near Nizamapatnam Bay.

To support the 3D data acquisition programme, Nordic and SCF Geo will charter and mobilize a supply ship and 10 chase vessels locally from Indian owners.

Nordic Maritime’s Chief Executive Officer, Kjell Gauksheim commented on the award: “This award from Cairn Energy for work offshore India is naturally exciting for Nordic and our partners. We are pleased to be entrusted with it and we will perform as always to our established high standards. We believe there are more opportunities like this in the region and we are open to more contracts of this sort in future.”