GGS-Spectrum, a provider of advanced seismic processing and multi-client surveys, today announced the signing of a joint venture between Global Geo Services ASA and TGS-Nopec Geophysical Co. ASA (TGS) for a 17,000-mile (28,000-km) multi-client survey. The 50/50 joint venture involves the acquisition of 2-D seismic data in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, with acquisition to be completed in December 2007 and data processing to be completed by the end of Q1 2008.

As part of the joint venture, GGS-Spectrum will be responsible for acquiring 11,500 miles (19,000 km) of seismic data with the GGS Atlantic seismic vessel and process the entire survey at its Houston seismic processing center. TGS will acquire the remaining miles and manage marketing and sales for the entire survey.

Knut Øversjøen CEO of GGS-Spectrum commented, “We feel that the cooperation between the two companies will benefit our clients because this survey will now be completed earlier than previously scheduled – allowing time for serious interpretation studies before the bid rounds occur.”

Added Derek Skoyles, President of GGS-Spectrum USA, “Initial lines running all the way from the northern portion of Desoto Canyon to the border with Mexican waters indicate an exciting mix of possibilities regarding source rocks and trapping mechanisms. We have seen a considerable interest in the northern area through high-dollar bids in the recent lease sales, signaling a strong industry demand for data in the south and ahead of future licensing rounds.”

The survey provides new long-offset, long-record data which will be processed through pre-stack time and pre-stack depth migration sequences. The 1.4- by 1.4-mile (2.24- by 2.24-km) grid ties precisely into the intersections of the TGS phase 49 survey to its North.