Norway-based marine seismic acquisition specialist Shearwater Geoservices has received two separate letters of award (LOAs) from India's state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for large offshore 3D seismic surveys off the Indian coast. The awards come as India continues to prioritise domestic hydrocarbon exploration to reduce its heavy reliance on imported crude oil, with ONGC serving as a cornerstone of that national effort.

The two awards combined add approximately 15 vessel months of backlog to Shearwater's schedule. The contracts will deploy two of the company's high-capacity 3D seismic vessels: one for a nine-month survey on India's west coast, and the other for a six-month project on the east coast.

Both projects are slated to commence early in the fourth quarter of 2026, providing Shearwater with improved vessel utilisation visibility extending into 2027. The awards are currently at the LOA stage and are advancing toward final contract execution, which is anticipated during the third quarter of 2026. The transition from LOA to definitive contract remains a key milestone before the work enters firm commitment.

ONGC, headquartered in Dehradun, is India's largest government-owned petroleum exploration and production company. The corporation regularly commissions seismic surveys to support its upstream exploration activities across India's offshore basins, including the prolific Mumbai Offshore and Krishna-Godavari basins, as part of broader national efforts to reverse declining domestic crude output.

3D seismic surveys are a critical tool in oil and gas exploration, using controlled acoustic sources and streamer cables towed behind vessels to produce detailed subsurface images of geological formations. The data gathered helps energy companies identify potential hydrocarbon reservoirs and optimise drilling decisions.

Shearwater Geoservices, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Bergen, Norway, operates a fleet of seismic vessels equipped for towed-streamer marine acquisition. The company has maintained a continuous operational presence in the Indian market since 2016, a track record that positions it among the established international seismic contractors competing for ONGC and other regional operator tenders.

"These awards represent a significant addition to Shearwater's backlog at attractive terms in a strategically important market. We have built a strong position in India with continuous presence since 2016, leveraging our industry-leading capabilities and knowledge of the local market," said Irene Waage Basili, CEO of Shearwater.