RWE Dea acquired about 400 sq km within the scope of the Caspian Sea seismic survey. Since mid-April, a survey team consisting of a total of 400 persons had travelled on special ships and vehicles in order to obtain detailed findings of hydrocarbon reservoirs in RWE Dea’s license area Block 23.

“We’re particularly pleased with the high quality of the data obtained, which will enable us to prepare a meaningful assessment of the area surveyed,” explained Werner Schwarzhans, senior vice president of exploration for RWE Dea AG.

Over 20,000 seismic registrations were carried out, which are now being processed.

As a next step, geologists and geophysicists of RWE Dea in Hamburg will be dealing with the interpretation of the data processed.

“This process is going to take several months before we actually receive detailed information on structures and their location underground,” said Schwarzhans.

This was the first 3-D seismic survey carried out on the coast of Turkmenistan with a transition from the onshore region to shallow water. In the process, measurement cables with receivers were laid seamlessly from the mainland up to 10 km into the shallow-water region. As seismic sources, airgun arrays were deployed in the water, whereas on land the vibroseis method was used. In addition to the recording of 3-D data, the seismic measurements also extended to include a 2-D program for assessment of the further exploration potential.

With this seismic survey, RWE Dea explored geological structures in the Miocene and Pliocene rock strata at depths of 3,000 m (9,842 ft) to 6,500 m (21,325 ft). The seismic activities of RWE Dea were preceded by an extensive environmental study.