Insight article
MULTI-CLIENT DATA PAVING THE WAY FOR SUCCESS IN THE PELOTAS BASIN
27 Mar 2025
Read Time
4 mins
Once overlooked, Brazil’s Pelotas Basin is now in the spotlight. A surge in interest, driven by new data and parallels with Namibia’s Orange Basin, has unlocked fresh momentum. With our partner Searcher Seismic, we’re delivering the high-quality seismic insights that energy companies need to move fast, de-risk decisions, and explore with confidence.The Pelotas Basin is emerging as one of the most exciting frontier exploration areas in the world. Stretching along the southern coast of Brazil, this vast offshore basin holds immense potential—one that Shearwater and its partner, Searcher Seismic, are unlocking with cutting-edge seismic technology and a commitment to precision-driven insights, supporting energy security.
When did the Pelotas Basin become attractive?
Historically, exploration activity in the Pelotas Basin has been slow with minimal drilling activity due to sparse data coverage and limited subsurface understanding.
During the last few years, advances in seismic imaging and a growing understanding of its source rock and presence of reservoirs have placed it on the radar of energy companies.
The accelerated exploration interest was highlighted in December 2023, when Brazil's National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) conducted its 4th Permanent Concession Offer Cycle, during which 44 blocks in the Pelotas Basin were awarded.
This comprehensive allocation was driven by heightened interest from major energy companies, influenced by recent discoveries in analogous basins de-risking Pelotas Basin's untapped potential.
What makes the Pelotas Basin unique?
The Pelotas Basin shares a deep geological connection with the northern Orange Basin situated on the conjugate margin offshore Namibia. In the last few years, the Orange Basin has experienced remarkable success with the discovery of several billion-barrel equivalents of light oil and gas, quickly rising to global prominence as a hydrocarbon hotspot.
“The Pelotas Basin shares a deep geological connection with the northern Orange Basin.”
Sindre Bull-Jansen, Lead Geoscientist Multi-client
This link across the Atlantic provides explorers with a unique opportunity to apply lessons learned from one basin to another, enhancing predictive models and refining exploration strategies. With recent discoveries off Namibia, the Pelotas Basin stands at the threshold of a new wave of energy exploration.
The Pelotas Basin shares a deep geological connection with the northern Orange Basin situated on the conjugate margin offshore Namibia. In the last few years, the Orange Basin has experienced remarkable success with the discovery of several billion-barrel equivalents of light oil and gas, quickly rising to global prominence as a hydrocarbon hotspot.
This link across the Atlantic provides explorers with a unique opportunity to apply lessons learned from one basin to another, enhancing predictive models and refining exploration strategies. With recent discoveries off Namibia, the Pelotas Basin stands at the threshold of a new wave of energy exploration.
Bringing clarity to the subsurface
In continued partnership with Searcher Seismic and supported by industry funding, Shearwater has embarked on the second season of 3D multi-client data acquisition in the Pelotas Basin, expanding our data coverage to more than 10,000 square kilometers.
This collaborative effort leverages our expertise in marine seismic acquisition, processing, and data analysis, ensuring that energy companies gain rapid access to high-quality seismic data that help de-risk exploration efforts, accelerate decision-making, and pave the way for potential future discoveries.
High-quality seismic data is key to unlocking frontier basins
Our advanced imaging technology provides a detailed view of the basin’s structure. Lessons from the Orange Basin’s success show that Quantitative Interpretation (QI), a technique integrating seismic attributes with rock physics, plays a crucial role in derisking reservoir and hydrocarbon presence, providing essential insights for exploration teams.
Comparisons between the Pelotas Basin and the Orange basin using the same QI methods highlight strong similarities in terms of prospectivity, helping energy companies identify prospective reservoirs and mitigate exploration risks.
This latest project reinforces Shearwater’s position as a key provider of multi-client seismic data. By using our state-of-the-art vessels and proprietary seismic processing techniques, we ensure that our clients receive the optimal data for de-risking the subsurface of the Pelotas Basin.
The future of exploration in the Pelotas Basin
As Brazil’s offshore energy landscape evolves, the Pelotas Basin is poised to play a pivotal role in the country’s resource development and energy security. Shearwater and our partner Searcher Seismic are supporting this development by equipping the energy sector with the data and insights needed to explore responsibly.
“The Pelotas Basin is poised to play a pivotal role in Brazil’s resource development and energy security.”
Sindre Bull-Jansen, Lead Geoscientist Multi-client
With Shearwater and Searcher Seismic leading the way, the Pelotas Basin is no longer just a potential hotspot—it is an active, dynamic exploration frontier. And we’re here to help our clients seize the opportunity, one seismic survey at a time.
Explore more about the potential of the Pelotas Basin with industry-leading seismic data.
Find out how our multi-client data library can support your exploration strategy.
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