Continuing with the success of Phases I and II of its Laconia 3D OBN multi-client seismic program in the US Gulf, Viridien has announced, in collaboration with partner TGS, the start of Laconia Phase III to extend extra-long-offset-low-frequency full-azimuth sparse OBN data coverage in the Paleogene trend. 

Map showing location of Phases I, II and III of Viridien’s Laconia 3D OBN survey (image courtesy of Viridien Earth Data)

Supported by industry funding, Laconia Phase III, covering approximately 150 OCS blocks in the Keathley Canyon protraction areas, will be acquired by TGS and imaged by Viridien to target prospective but difficult-to-image subsalt reservoirs. Acquisition started in May 2025 with initial products scheduled for delivery in Q1 2026.

Outstanding early-out results from Laconia Phase I clearly demonstrate the power of Viridien’s industry-leading elastic full-waveform inversion (E-FWI) imaging technology for setting new benchmarks for subsalt imaging and reservoir delineation. The combination of very-long-offset OBN and the low-frequency Sercel Tuned Pulse Source (TPS™) provides significantly deeper diving-wave penetration for E-FWI to resolve the complex salt geometries and sediments, producing a step-change in subsalt imaging and highlighting exploration opportunities in the Paleogene trend with greater certainty. Fast-track data from Laconia Phase I is now available and fast-track data from Laconia Phase II is scheduled for August. 

“TGS remains committed to supporting the energy industry with the highest quality seismic solutions,” stated Kristian Johansen, CEO of TGS. “Laconia Phase III represents another significant step forward in our ability to deliver advanced data products in one of the world’s most important offshore regions. Through cooperation with Viridien and the combination of our leading edge OBN acquisition and imaging technologies, we are confident this project will provide tremendous value to our customers.”

“The success of our Laconia OBN program is a compelling example of the value technological innovation brings to offshore exploration,” said Sophie Zurquiyah, CEO, Viridien. “By teaming up with TGS on Laconia Phase III, we are leveraging our respective strengths to deliver a high-impact dataset in one of the world’s most prospective offshore regions. Early-out results from Laconia Phase I have already attracted considerable industry attention, highlighting the excellence of our advanced imaging capabilities.” 

Laconia in the Garden Banks area of the US Gulf. Legacy full azimuth streamer 15 Hz RTM image overlaid with 6 Hz streamer FWI velocity (top) and Laconia Phase I long-offset low-frequency sparse OBN “early-out” 5 Hz FWI Image overlaid with corresponding velocity (bottom).The early-out image demonstrates significantly improved imaging of the salt and the deep basin architecture, including potential subsalt reservoir targets in the Paleogene trend. The seismic sections intersect the Sparta discovery and the Kingsholm prospect (a dry well with oil shows). More detailed images from Phase I and II will be delivered throughout 2025 and 2026, with final deliverables being released in Q2 2026. (Image courtesy of Viridien Earth Data)

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