Insight article

A proven partner across Africa’s offshore frontier

1 Aug 2025

Africa is one of the most exciting regions for offshore exploration. At Shearwater, we’re proud to be playing a key role in that story—with a growing track record of pioneering surveys and high-impact data delivery across the continent.

From Namibia’s Orange Basin to the deep waters of Ghana and Angola, we’ve shown what our technology and team can do.

OBN (Ocean Bottom Node) surveys allow operators to see geology they couldn’t see before with conventional surveys. Traditionally prohibitively costly, especially in remote areas, Shearwater’s innovation to create the Pearl node, and to transform our vessel the SW Tasman into a OBN deployment and source platform with dual ROV (remotely operated vehicle), has transformed project economics for clients in sub-Saharan Africa.

Suddenly it’s possible to perform new surveys that allow our clients to see things they couldn’t see before. The question used to be “why do an OBN survey?”. Now the question is “why aren’t you shooting an OBN survey?”.

Ghana: breaking new ground in deepwater

We’re about to kick off Ghana’s first deepwater OBN seismic survey—marking a major milestone for the region. Indeed, this will be the first OBN survey in NW Africa west of Nigeria. The project, awarded by Tullow and their partners, will take place in the Jubilee and TEN fields, two assets that have underpinned Ghana’s oil and gas production for nearly two decades.

It’s not our first time working at these fields. Earlier this year, we completed a 4D towed streamer survey here, and now we’re taking the next step: deploying our SW Tasman vessel and Pearl node platform for a two-month OBN campaign starting in late 2025.

This is what we do best—opening new geophysical frontiers with precision, responsibility, and cutting-edge capability.

Angola: back-to-back projects with leading operators

Angola’s offshore energy sector continues to thrive—and we’re proud to be right at the centre of it.

We’ve secured multiple deepwater OBN projects here, delivering for both TotalEnergies (surveys at Block 32 and Block 20) and ExxonMobil. These projects are running back-to-back through 2025, using our trusted SW Tasman and Pearl platform, with the SW Gallien as source vessel.

We’re reshaping what’s possible in ocean-bottom seismic across Angola, proving that cost-effective, high-resolution imaging doesn’t have to be a compromise.

Côte d’Ivoire and beyond: extending our footprint

Before reaching Angola, our OBN platform first deployed offshore Côte d’Ivoire—executing the country’s first OBN survey and setting a new benchmark for quality and operational efficiency in the region. Uniquely deploying deepwater nodes then conducting the source work all with one vessel – a first in Africa.

From there, we’ve kept momentum. The SW Tasman and Pearl system has been continuously active across West Africa since late 2024, with a full schedule that reflects growing demand for precision imaging in complex offshore environments.

Namibia and South Africa: revealing the Orange Basin

Alongside our proprietary campaigns, our multi-client work is helping clients move faster in high-potential regions like the Orange Basin.

In partnership with NAMCOR and Searcher Seismic, and with other clients and partners, we’ve acquired and processed more than 12,000 km² of seismic data across Namibia and South Africa. In recent years, Shearwater’s survey operations have been the engine of discovery in the region — giving energy companies a critical head start in de-risking exploration.

As new discoveries continue to emerge, this data is helping our clients make confident decisions in a region with vast untapped potential.

The verdict? We deliver across Africa.

We don’t just show up—we show what’s possible. With our combination of proven technology, experienced teams, and long-term client partnerships, we’re unlocking opportunities all across Africa.

From firsts in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to multi-client libraries in Namibia, we’re trusted to take on the region’s toughest offshore challenges—and deliver data that drives real decisions.

Investors Press Release

27/08/2025