Energy
Seismic vessel secures West Africa contract for 2027 campaign
SeaBird Exploration has locked in a six-month ocean bottom node contract in West Africa for its Fulmar Explorer vessel.
Key points
- SeaBird Exploration secures six-month West Africa contract for OBN work.
- Fulmar Explorer vessel to begin mobilization in December 2026.
- Contract extends vessel operations well into 2027.
Cyprus-registered SeaBird Exploration has secured a six-month offshore contract for ocean bottom node (OBN) source work in West Africa, according to reporting by Offshore Energy. The agreement ensures continued utilization for the 17-year-old seismic research and source vessel, the Fulmar Explorer, extending its operational schedule well into 2027.
Mobilization for the project is scheduled to commence in December 2026, bringing the total duration of the campaign to approximately six months, which includes both mobilization and demobilization phases. The client for the project has not been publicly disclosed.
Vessel deployment
The Fulmar Explorer joined the fleet of SED Energy Holdings subsidiary SeaBird Exploration in 2019. The vessel is deployed primarily within the offshore oil and gas sector, executing OBN seismic operations and geophysical surveys. By generating acoustic waves, the ship maps subsurface geological formations, enabling energy companies to image the seabed and identify potential hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Company executives noted that the award reflects a strengthening OBN market characterised by rising tendering activity and improved visibility for 2027. Earlier this year, the same vessel secured a three-month contract extension that prolonged its deployment in the Western Hemisphere.
Why it matters
The contract highlights ongoing offshore exploration activity in the region at a time when global commodity markets remain dynamic. According to data from the US Energy Information Administration cited by the Centre for Energy Investment and Innovation, the Brent spot price stood at 92.14 US$ per barrel on 11 November 2026. Sustained upstream investments and geophysical campaigns in West Africa are critical for maintaining reserves and production capacities across petroleum-dependent economies on the continent.
For regional policymakers and energy investors, steady demand for specialised high-end marine tonnage signals confidence in offshore hydrocarbon basins despite broader energy transition pressures. The limited availability of relevant vessels suggests that contractors capable of delivering advanced OBN seismic operations will continue to secure advantageous commitments as regional operators seek to optimise exploration and appraisal drilling programmes.
Original reporting
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