Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) announced today that it will perform an extensive multiclient electromagnetic (EM) scanning survey to search for commercial hydrocarbon deposits in the Krishna-Godavari basin, ahead of India's 7th New Exploration Licensing Policy round (NELP 7). At 772 sq miles (2,000 sq km), the survey is the first of its kind and represents a significant milestone in the adoption of EMGS's proprietary EM scanning technology.


Commencing before the end of January 2008, the survey is fully pre-funded by India's state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC). Processed data will be available for licensing to other potential bidders during India's biggest yet auction of offshore blocks, which concludes in April 2008. EMGS will perform the survey in cooperation with India's Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).


Scanning with EM technology enables operators to evaluate the prospectivity of license blocks more efficiently and to optimize their bidding strategies. Unlike traditional techniques using seismic surveys to indicate potential reservoir structures, EM scanning technology searches for electrical properties (resistivity) that indicate the location of hydrocarbons directly. Scanning with EM techniques offers the additional benefit of revealing potential leads such as stratigraphic traps, which are not easily visible on seismic maps. Combining EM with conventional methods enables faster and more accurate assessment of new blocks.


For more information, visit www.emgs.com.