Dolphin sees new seismic wave

'Rates leap': for Dolphin

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Steve Marshall

, Steve Marshall

 05 September 2011 15:35 GMT

Dolphin Geophysical is banking on a rise in seismic vessel dayrates early next year as licensing gets back on track in the US Gulf of Mexico, with Brazil possibly set to follow.

However, the Norwegian seismic newcomer is holding fire on a newbuild option decision as it waits for uncertain conditions in global financial markets to stabilize.

The US government has announced a fresh licensing round in the western US Gulf on 14 December, the first following last year’s Macondo oil spill that triggered a moratorium on deep-water drilling and hit exploration activity.

Dolphin chief executive Atle Jacobsen told Upstream he believes that as much as 10% of the existing global 3D seismic fleet of 65 to 70 vessels could be diverted to the US…

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