OHM Surveys wins Santos tender
UK-based OHM Surveys is believed to have emerged best bidder for a contract to carry out a Controlled Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) survey at two ultra deepwater blocks in the Bay of Bengal operated by Australian explorer Santos.
OHM declines to confirm the news but industry sources tell us the AIM-listed company beat heavyweights WesternGeco and Norway’s EMGS to win the contract, tentatively valued at $3m-$5m. Whether OHM will actually carry out the 200-sq km surveys at each of the two blocks, NEC-DWN-2004/1 and NEC-DWN-2004/2, is another matter.
“This whole tender has been very odd,†we hear. “There’s been no clarity on the start date; it has to do with Bangladesh and where Santos wants to do the survey.
†Bangladesh claims part of the Santos acreage falls in its territorial waters – a claim India disputes. In December 2008, the Bangladesh navy intercepted CGG boat Symphony as it was shooting 2D for Santos in disputed waters.