Oceanic Vega

Ship history

Co-owned by CGG Veritas and Eidesvik Offshore through the company Oceanic Seismic Vessels AS, the vessel was delivered to Eidesvik Seismic Vessels AS on 2 July 2010. Designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS, the vessel was nominated ‘Ship of the year 2010'.

Jan Fredrik Meling, CEO at Eidesvik Offshore, stated: “Oceanic Vega meets strict environmental standards. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the ship reduces harmful atmospheric emissions and prevents oil discharge through its double hull construction. We are very satisfied with the X-BOW® vessel Viking Poseidon delivered by Ulstein in January. The ship operates smoothly with minimal vibrations and movements. This grants optimal vessel comfort, which is very important for the working conditions of our seafarers."

Carrying an ICE-C classification, the Oceanic Vega is able to operate in cold waters. The vessel is designed to stay permanently at sea, with five years´ docking intervals, and complies with the redundant propulsion notation from DNV. There are enough engines and generator sets to conduct maintenance at sea, and refuelling is carried out by dedicated support vessels. The vessel is equipped with straight shaft lines to the two CP propellers in a nozzle, each driven by two frequency converter-driven electric motors. This allows smooth speed control of around five knots during seismic acquisition. Two work boats are used for maintenance of in-water equipment.

Working environment
Oceanic Vega complies with the Clean Design demands from DNV, and with the SPS requirements for up to 60 persons. There are 52 single cabins and only nine double cabins. The mess room, galley and the four dayrooms have large windows facing the sea to add comfort for the crew. The vessel is equipped with a helideck to facilitate an efficient crew change. The X-BOW® results in lower added resistance and smoother bow immergence. This leads to reduced operational disturbances or involuntary speed reduction.

Instrument room
The instrument room is located at the stern, with large windows facing the sea. It is placed directly over the seismic area, with a direct view of the streamer deck.

Feedback
After delivery, the vessel performed a mission in the Barents Sea, thereafter the vessel transited to Houston, USA. Feedback from the captain after the transit to the US: “We met the tropical hurricane “Igor”, and went straight through it. The waves were 8-9 metres, but we kept a speed of 12 knots without a problem."

June 2019: Oceanic Seismic Vessels AS was acquired by Shearwater Geoservices.

June 2021 update (source Shearwater): The Oceanic Vega has commenced the second phase of Mid North Sea High 3D Survey of ION Geophysical’s (ION) 11,000 sqkm UK Mid North Sea High 3D seismic survey programme. The Mid North Sea High’s proximity to shore and existing energy infrastructure supports lower development costs, making it an attractive development region for companies both within the oil and gas and the low carbon energy sectors. The acquisition of this large data set, prioritizing acquisition before wind farm installation, and covering areas with potential for carbon storage, represents a unique opportunity for Shearwater and ION to support future energy transition activities. “The second phase of the Mid North Sea High program builds on the success of last year’s survey where advanced acquisition and processing by Shearwater and ION produced outstanding subsurface images revealing fresh insights into this promising, underexplored UK province,” said Irene Waage Basili, CEO of Shearwater. The five-month second phase builds on the initial survey last year. Upon completion in mid-October, the survey area included in the program will have increased six-fold.