Fugro, DIMAR proceed with studies into Colombian offshore energy assets

The Colombian Maritime Authority (DIMAR) has selected Fugro to perform a joint environmental and exploration seep study in the Caribbean Sea to help Colombia unlock insights about its offshore energy assets.

The project began in late August, building on the success of a similar effort with DIMAR in 2019, and is scheduled to complete in November 2021.

As with the previous collaboration, this year’s work will involve the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of seabed sediment samples and heat flow measurements to help assess the region’s resource potential.

Fugro will also provide classroom and vessel-based training to DIMAR personnel before and during offshore operations, continuing the knowledge exchange that began in 2019. 

Fieldwork for the project will be conducted from DIMAR’s ARC Roncador multipurpose hydrographic vessel using specialised Fugro equipment, including a shipboard analytical laboratory.

The ability to perform preliminary geochemical analyses at sea enables 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 specialised camera system. This work will help DIMAR understand the environmental conditions at these locations to determine whether any mitigating steps may be required now or during future decommissioning activities, the partners said.

Jim Gharib, Fugro’s global manager for seep hunting and geochemical exploration, said: “We are pleased to continue partnering with DIMAR on their seep studies in the Caribbean Sea. Not only will our geo-data programme with DIMAR help Colombia unlock insights about their offshore energy assets, it will ultimately help the country develop these resources in a safe and efficient way, minimising environmental impacts throughout the project life cycle”.