Shearwater Geoservices wins Australian carbon storage survey
The Norwegian seismic specialist's SW Bly will begin a 3D survey of the Bonaparte Basin's carbon storage potential in the third quarter.
Norwegian offshore seismic vessel operator Shearwater Geoservices has been awarded a 3D seismic survey contract to support the appraisal of carbon storage potential in the Bonaparte Basin off the coast of northern Australia. The project is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026 and will be carried out using the company's vessel SW Bly.
Seismic surveys of this kind are used to build detailed subsurface images that help assess whether a geological formation is suitable for storing carbon dioxide, a key step in developing carbon capture and storage projects aimed at reducing industrial and power-sector emissions. The Bonaparte Basin, traditionally known for its oil and gas potential, is increasingly being examined for its capacity to host large-scale carbon storage.
Interest in offshore carbon storage has grown steadily across Australia and other markets as governments and energy companies look for viable pathways to meet emissions reduction targets while continuing to operate carbon-intensive industries during the energy transition. Detailed subsurface data of the kind Shearwater's survey will generate is considered essential before any storage project can move toward development or regulatory approval.
Deploying a dedicated seismic vessel such as SW Bly for a project of this nature reflects the specialised technical requirements involved in mapping potential storage formations accurately, distinct from the exploration surveys traditionally associated with oil and gas discovery. The data gathered will feed into the broader appraisal process needed to determine the basin's true storage capacity and suitability.
With the survey set to start in the third quarter, the project marks a further step in Australia's efforts to build out a viable carbon storage industry using its offshore geological potential. The award adds to a growing pipeline of carbon storage appraisal work for specialist seismic operators as interest in the sector continues to build globally.
