Equinor has made a commitment to the Argentinian government to carry out 3D seismic surveys in all our licences in the Northern Argentina Basin, within the first exploration period.
Where?
There are two survey areas in the Northern Argentina Basin. One covering CAN_114 and one covering CAN_108, extending into CAN_100.
They will be carried out in Federal Waters offshore, more than 300 km south-east and 400 km south of the city of Mar del Plata in the province of Buenos Aires. The CAN_114 licence is located outside the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) of Argentina, in waters dominated by an international fishing fleet. The maximum range of the survey area covers approximately 6,000 km² for the CAN_100 and CAN_108 licences together. The most likely survey area is significantly smaller (<2,000 km²). For the CAN_114 the area to be covered is about 3,500 km².
Logistics
The plan is to mobilise the seismic vessel from the Port of Buenos Aires. When it is operating in the licence area, the seismic vessel will receive supplies from a supply vessel approximately every two or three weeks. The port most likely to be used for supplies like fuel, food, equipment, or additional personnel, will be Mar del Plata in the Province of Buenos Aires.
When?
According to Equinor’s current plan, the seismic operations will begin during the fourth quarter of 2023. The operations are expected to last for between 100 and 150 days, and they will be ongoing 24 hours a day if the weather conditions allow it.