TGS ASA announced APEX 1, a next- generation multi-client long- offset Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) acquisition campaign in the Gulf of America. Node deployment for APEX 1 commenced in December 2025, and acquisition is expected to be completed in late second quarter 2026. Early products are expected in third quarter 2026 and final data delivery fourth quarter 2027.
APEX 1 sets a new benchmark for large-scale long offset multi-client seismic by deploying a denser node grid than previous ultra-long offset OBN programs and by being designed as a stand-alone exploration dataset, without reliance on underlying streamer seismic coverage. APEX 1 is enabled by TGS' Gemini(TM) enhanced frequency source and leverages the TGS' deep expertise in long- offset OBN acquisition, processing, and Dynamic Matching FWI (DM-FWI). The combination of dense node spacing, ultra-long offsets, and advanced imaging workflows is designed to deliver a step-change in subsurface resolution, velocity accuracy, and geological confidence for exploration and appraisal.
This survey creates a highly flexible, future-proof exploration dataset that supports a wide range of geological objectives. The approach opens new opportunities for operators to deploy one of the industry's most powerful exploration tools, not only in the Gulf of America, but also in other offshore basins worldwide. The project is supported by industry funding.
