Colombia’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs (DIMAR) has selected Fugro to conduct a joint environmental and exploration seepage study in the Caribbean Sea to help Colombia gain insight into its offshore energy assets.
Fugro is a Dutch multinational public company based in Leidschendam, The Netherlands, specializing in the collection and analysis of geological data, both onshore and offshore.
The project began in late August, building on the success of a similar effort with DIMAR in 2019, and is scheduled for completion in November 2021.
As with the previous collaboration, this year’s work will involve the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of seafloor sediment samples and heat flow measurements to help assess the region’s resource potential.
Fugro will also provide classroom and ship-based training to DIMAR personnel prior to and during offshore operations, continuing the knowledge exchange that began in 2019.
Field work for the project will be conducted from DIMAR’s multipurpose hydrographic vessel ARC Roncador, using specialized Fugro equipment, including an onboard analytical laboratory.
The ability to perform preliminary geochemical analysis at sea allows for the rapid identification of high-potential coring locations, significantly streamlining the overall project schedule, according to Fugro.
New to the 2021 scope of work, Fugro and DIMAR will examine a set of decommissioned well sites using a specialized camera system. This work will help DIMAR understand the environmental conditions at these sites to determine whether mitigation measures are needed now or during future decommissioning activities, the partners said.
Jim Gharib, Fugro’s global director for seepage and geochemical exploration, said, “We are delighted to continue to collaborate with DIMAR on their seepage studies in the Caribbean Sea. Our geological data program with DIMAR will not only help Colombia discover its offshore energy assets, but will ultimately help the country develop these resources safely and efficiently, minimizing environmental impacts throughout the project life cycle.”
