18 May 2007
Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc (OHM): OHM team recognised for their contribution to the commercialisation of CSEM
The Society of Exploration Geophysicists, a leading body that promotes the science of geophysics and the education of applied geophysicists has awarded a prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award to University of Southampton, citing the roles of OHM's founders, Dr Lucy MacGregor and Professor Martin Sinha.
The award recognises their role in the "first substantial test of controlled source electromagnetics for direct hydrocarbon detection" which took place offshore Angola in 2000 when the team were researching on the technique at the University of Southampton.
University of Southampton, Scripps Institution, Statoil, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, and ExxonMobil are all to receive a Distinguished Achievement Award for their contributions to the successful implementation of Controlled Source Electromagnetics (CSEM).
Commenting on the award, Dr Lucy MacGregor said:
"We are very grateful to the Society of Exploration Geophysicists for recognising the key role that Martin and I, together with the University of Southampton, played in developing and commercialising the CSEM technology. That such a prestigious body is making an award for CSEM development is further endorsement of the industry wide interest in and acceptance of CSEM technology and the contribution it can make to the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons.
At OHM, we are continuing to enhance the range and application of CSEM together with the integration of other geophysical data to provide our clients with a best in class and extremely valuable product. This award will spur us on to greater achievements "
For further information, please contact:
Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc
www.ohmsurveys.com
Dave Pratt, Chief Executive 0870 429 6581
Aquila Financial Limited
www.aquila-financial.com
Peter Reilly 020 7202 2601
Yvonne Fraser 020 7202 2609
Notes for editors.
Dr. Lucy MacGregor is Chief Scientific Officer at Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc and Professor Martin Sinha is a consultant to the company. The award will be presented during the Society of Exploration Geophysicists 2007 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, in September.
Controlled Source Electro-Magnetic imaging (CSEM) is potentially the most important new technology in the field of offshore oil & gas exploration since the advent of 3D seismic some twenty years ago. CSEM is an innovative offshore geophysical technique, employing electromagnetic remote-sensing technology to detect the presence and extent of hydrocarbon accumulations below the seabed.
The CSEM survey uses a dipole source that is towed just above the seafloor to transmit an electromagnetic field into the earth. This field is modified by the presence of subsurface resistive layers and these changes are detected and logged by an array of receivers placed on the seabed. Because hydrocarbon-bearing formations are highly resistive compared with surrounding formations, a CSEM survey can indicate the presence of oil and gas in offshore situations.
CSEM imaging can significantly reduce the risk of drilling dry exploration wells creating considerable value for oil & gas explorers.
The technique was first used offshore Angola in 2000 and has since become a key deepwater exploration tool for the major oil companies. Very high success rates have been quoted by these companies, particularly when the results of a CSEM survey have been integrated with seismic interpretation.
Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc listed on London's Alternative Investment Market (OHM) in March 2004.
Society of Exploration Geophysicists www.seg.org
Founded in 1930, the SEG fosters the expert and ethical practice of geophysics in the exploration and development of natural resources, in characterising the near surface, and in mitigating earth hazards. The Society, which has more than 25,000 members in 129 countries, fulfils its mission through its publications, conferences, forums, Web sites, and educational opportunities.
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