MEDIA RELEASE

30 NOVEMBER 2009

Software from GNS Science is being used to get a first look at New Zealand’s offshore geology as part of a major push to open up new areas for oil exploration.

The New Zealand Government initiative will see will see $12 million invested in the next six months gathering a large amount of seismic data to help the oil and gas exploration industry explore for petroleum over New Zealand’s frontier basins.

Reflect Geophysical has been awarded the seismic survey contract and has chartered the MV Bergen Resolution for the task.

Crown Minerals, a division of the Ministry of Economic Development, is overseeing the collection of the 7000km of seismic data from offshore areas in the North and South Islands.

On board the Bergen Resolution are staff from Singapore-based Quantum Geoservices, who are processing the seismic data to get the first look at the potential of these offshore regions.

The onboard processing is a vital element of ensuring the data being gathered is of high quality. Quantum has chosen GNS Science-developed software, GLOBE Claritas, as the software platform for their international operations, including projects in South East Asia, Australia - and now New Zealand.

GLOBE Claritas processes the raw seismic data into a format that can be used by geoscientists to interpret the sub-surface layers and areas where petroleum is likely to accumulate.

Quantum is the first independently-owned seismic processing company in Singapore, said Sami Khan, President and Chief Executive of Quantum Geoservices.

“There are huge opportunities for us throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Claritas software gives us the flexibility to deliver services from onboard processing using a single workstation, to large three-dimensional processing projects using supercomputers,” Mr Khan said.

We are excited to be part of this project in the search for hydrocarbons in offshore New Zealand, especially in the newly discovered Pegasus Basin. Quantum Geoservices has the expertise and geophysical knowledge in providing quality solutions coupled with the Globe Claritas software solutions”

Petroleum exploration is one of the most high-tech, computer-intensive industries in the world.

Chief Operations Officer for GLOBE Claritas, David Darby, said he was very pleased a dynamic, international company like Quantum could build its business on an innovative piece of New Zealand software. GLOBE Claritas is a business unit within GNS Science.

“It is great to see Claritas returning home to be used in the vibrant New Zealand exploration sector. Claritas has moved from a research tool to a fully-fledged industrial system that has a growing presence in the global oil exploration business,” said Dr Darby.

It is used at over 70 sites in more than 30 countries around the world. It was initially developed in Wellington in the early 1990s as an in-house tool for scientists to process their own seismic data.

“Investment from the Foundation for Research Science and Technology’s ‘Pre-Seed Accelerator Fund’ has been instrumental in moving the Claritas software onto the global stage.

“It has let us scale up the software and the whole business, so we can compete with the largest industry players.”

ENDS

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