Those in the know say that the market for ocean bottom seismic (OBS) surveys never really declined, certainly not in the dramatic fashion experienced by seismic vessel owners with towed-streamer acquisition technology. It was more a case of projects being postponed.

It seems that the wait is over. A recent much quoted study by Rystad Energy estimates demand for OBS will increase by 90% from 2016 to 2017, where awarded contracts make up the majority of the increase.