WHILE there’s always a degree of out-of-sight, out-of-mind about the offshore sector in this region it remains one of the most active.
Oslo-headquartered seismic data specialist TGS has announced the award of a 4D streamer acquisition contract offshore Australia, for an unnamed client. One of the company’s distinctive delta-shaped vessels, Ramform Sovereign is scheduled to mobilise in December, with the survey expected to have a duration of close to 50 days.
Kristian Johansen, CEO of TGS, said they were “very pleased to secure this contract award, which provides visibility into the first quarter of 2027”.
“The award from a repeat client demonstrates continued confidence in our differentiated acquisition capabilities, including our Ramform acquisition platform and GeoStreamer technology,” he said.
“The combination of advanced acquisition solutions and consistent data delivery helps our client optimize field performance and enhance reservoir recovery over time."
Another Norwegian offshore seismic operator, Shearwater Geoservices has secured a 3D seismic survey contract to support appraisal of the carbon storage potential in the Bonaparte Basin northern Australia. The project is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2026 and will be executed by the SW Bly, with an expected duration of 50 days.
The collected geophysical data will be used to high-grade and define future injection well locations and serve as a baseline survey for possible future 4D seismic monitoring. The survey is Shearwater’s second carbon capture and storage-related survey in the Bonaparte Basin following a similar campaign in 2024.
The first offshore exploration permit issued in New Zealand since the current government reversed the Ardern-era ban in mid-2025 has been awarded to private Australian company EnZed Energy. Ms Ardern’s Labour Government forbade new offshore oil and gas exploration in 2018 as part of a policy to address climate change and accelerate a clean energy transition.
EZE has secured a 12-year exploration permit covering the 546 sq km Kaheru prospect in the offshore Taranaki Basin, the country’s main oil and gas-producing region which, however, is gradually being abandoned by existing producers as wells are exhausted. EZE will undertake a staged exploration program, beginning with a review of existing seismic data and geological studies to assess the prospect’s potential.
NOPSEMA, meanwhile, has published a new environment and safety alert on avian influenza (H5N1), following Australia's first confirmed detections of the virus in June 2026. The alert highlights the potential for offshore facilities and vessels to interact with migratory seabirds that may carry the virus.
It reminds duty holders to assess whether avian influenza presents a credible risk to their activities and to ensure appropriate environmental, biosecurity and occupational health controls are in place. It also outlines measures to help reduce potential exposure to workers and minimise impacts on wildlife and the environment. Duty holders are encouraged to remain vigilant, report sick or dead wildlife, and review relevant management arrangements and procedures.