PXGEO 2 vessel to undertake major seismic surveys in Trinidad and Tobago waters

The PXGEO 2 seismic vessel is set to execute a series of significant seismic surveys in Trinidad and Tobago’s waters, as part of three major projects initiated by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT), the country’s Energy Chamber announced in a release. 

These projects include the deep-water seismic surveys resulting from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries’ (MEEI) 2021 Deepwater Competitive Bidding Round, surveys at the Manakin-Cocuina field following a cross-border unitization agreement in July 2024, and an upcoming survey of Block Modified U (c) in the ‘Shallow Water’ area off the south-eastern coast of Trinidad and Tobago. 

The latter is tied to ongoing negotiations for a production sharing contract (PSC) between Shell Trinidad and Tobago and the GoRTT, following MEEI’s 2023 Shallow Water Competitive Bidding Round, the Chamber said. 

The PXGEO 2, equipped with advanced seismic acquisition systems like Sercel Sentinel solid streamers and Sercel G-Source II energy arrays, is designed to minimize environmental impact. It is accompanied by a team of marine mammal observers and passive acoustic monitoring operators who are trained to detect marine mammals and sea turtles, implementing specific protocols to reduce interactions when necessary.

Stuart R. Young, TT’s Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, visited the vessel on September 26, 2024, alongside Adam Lowmass, Senior Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Trinidad and Tobago. The vessel is currently docked at Point Gourde, Chaguaramas. 

During the tour, Minister Young commended the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) for their expedited approval of the seismic programs and thanked the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries for their support and expertise. He reiterated the government’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to pursue hydrocarbon resources within the nation’s waters.