Shearwater Wins CCS Seismic Survey Contract Offshore Australia

Shearwater Geoservices has been awarded a contract to conduct a 3D seismic survey supporting carbon storage appraisal in the Bonaparte Basin offshore northern Australia. The survey will begin in the third quarter of 2026 and be carried out by the vessel SW Bly over an expected 50-day period. The data will help define future injection well locations and serve as a baseline for potential 4D monitoring, marking the company's second carbon capture and storage survey in the basin following a 2024 campaign.

 

Details of the Contract

 

Shearwater Geoservices has secured a new survey contract in Australian waters. The work involves conducting a 3D seismic survey in the Bonaparte Basin. This basin lies offshore northern Australia in an area of carbon storage interest. The survey aims to support appraisal of the region's carbon storage potential. This positions the contract within the growing market for carbon capture and storage work.

The survey follows a defined operational schedule. It is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026. The work will be carried out by the vessel SW Bly. The campaign is expected to last around 50 days in total. This timeline provides a clear framework for the survey operation.

 

Purpose of the Survey

 

The survey serves several specific technical objectives. The geophysical data collected will help high-grade future injection well locations. It will also be used to define precisely where those wells should be placed. Accurate well placement is critical for the safe injection of carbon dioxide. This makes the survey a foundational step in developing a storage site.

The data will also support long-term monitoring of the storage site. It will serve as a baseline survey for potential future 4D seismic monitoring. Such monitoring tracks how injected carbon dioxide behaves underground over time. Establishing a baseline allows later surveys to detect changes accurately. This capability is essential for verifying the integrity of carbon storage.

 

Understanding the Technology

 

Seismic surveying provides the subsurface data needed for carbon storage. A 3D seismic survey builds a detailed picture of the geology beneath the seabed. This reveals the structures that could safely contain injected carbon dioxide. Understanding these formations is essential before any storage can proceed. The survey therefore reduces uncertainty in the appraisal process.

The reference to 4D monitoring points to a further dimension of the work. A 4D survey involves repeating a 3D survey over time to observe changes. This allows operators to confirm that stored carbon remains securely contained. The current survey provides the initial baseline against which future data can be compared. This baseline is a prerequisite for effective long-term storage verification.

 

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Shearwater's Regional Position

 

The contract reinforces the company's presence in the regional market. It marks Shearwater's second carbon capture and storage survey in the Bonaparte Basin. This follows a similar campaign the company carried out in 2024. Returning to the same basin demonstrates continuity in its regional work. It also suggests satisfaction with the company's earlier performance.

The award strengthens Shearwater's standing in the carbon storage sector. The company has established a strong position supporting carbon storage projects globally. Company leadership expressed satisfaction at returning to Australia for a second related survey. This repeat business reflects the company's established capabilities in the field. It positions Shearwater as an experienced provider in the regional carbon storage market.

 

Significance for the Energy Transition

 

The survey connects to broader decarbonisation efforts. Company leadership framed carbon capture and storage as important to the energy transition. Storing carbon dioxide underground offers a route to reducing industrial emissions. Appraisal surveys of this kind are an early step in developing such capacity. This links the contract directly to wider climate objectives.

The work also represents a natural extension of the company's core business. Shearwater described these surveys as leveraging its geophysical capabilities and technology. The same expertise used for oil and gas exploration applies to carbon storage. This allows the company to redirect established capabilities toward the energy transition. The contract illustrates how seismic specialists are adapting to emerging low-carbon markets.