SW Tasman and Pearl node platform plays a key role in West Africa’s E&P strategies

Overcoming challenges

The biggest barrier to improving production in fields is an enhanced understanding of the sub-surface. Most African Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) projects have historically required complex multi-vessel mobilisations, multi-party logistics, and long non-productive periods, making costs prohibitive in West Africa.

SW Tasman’s single-vessel OBN capability is a big differentiator reducing risk, cost, and schedule uncertainty. With SW Tasman, Shearwater developed an industry-first acquisition platform designed for the challenges of deepwater, data excellence, safety, scalability and reliability. Together with African energy stakeholders Shearwater has delivered a remarkable program of projects so far, enabling the delivery of energy security, growth, local employment and capability building.

A platform for the future

SW Tasman isn’t just a seismic vessel - it’s a multi-capability platform built for efficiency, safety and adaptability. Its fit-for-purpose design, dual Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) capability, Pearl node technology and seismic source capability makes complex surveys simpler, safer and more reliable. Together, these features are changing the game in deepwater offshore seismic surveys:

• Dual ROVs make node deployment slick and safe - cutting down cycle times and lifting reliability.
• Pearl node delivers clear and reliable seismic data - whether you’re exploring or tracking reservoir changes in 4D.
• Seismic Source - means fast reconfiguration for different survey types – single vessel OBN, or multi-vessel OBN as needed.

Leading change across West Africa

Since breaking records with Asia’s largest deepwater OBN project ever, with ONGC in India in early 2024, SW Tasman has been working nonstop across Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Angola, delivering industry-first projects that mark a new chapter in African exploration and production monitoring.

• Q4 2024: First-ever deepwater OBN survey in Côte d’Ivoire, unlocking new levels of reservoir insight and raising the bar for operational performance with Pearl in a single vessel deepwater OBN operation as Côte d’Ivoire enters a new deepwater phase.
• Q1 2025: Strategic 4D seismic programs back-to-back offshore Angola, helping major operators fine-tune production, supporting Angola’s E&P revitalisation agenda.
• Q4 2025: Ghana’s first deepwater OBN survey, with a dual vessel deepwater Pearl survey, to enable stable offshore production.

“SW Tasman’s integrated design with Pearl node, dual ROV system and source allow us to execute complex OBN programs with unmatched flexibility program-to-program, making SW Tasman a scarce, high-availability asset suited to Africa,” says Tom Hay, VP Client Engagement at Shearwater. “Our ability to scale from single-vessel to multi-vessel OBN operations and work efficiently, gives clients unmatched flexibility across project types and budgets.”

Driving regional impact

Africa’s offshore basins are entering a new and exciting phase. With high-resolution imaging and 4D reservoir monitoring, SW Tasman is enabling operators and regulators to make smarter, data-driven decisions. These insights are critical for:

• Energy security: By enabling operators to maximise recovery from existing offshore fields, these surveys contribute directly to national energy security and economic resilience.
• Local development: SW Tasman’s campaigns have included training programmes for local crews and close technical engagement with national petroleum authorities, ensuring skills, knowledge, and operational benefits stay within the region.
• Long-term planning: Providing clarity for future investments and infrastructure development, providing the case to support long-term FPSO investment.

For regulators, national oil companies (NOCs) and international operators (IOCs), these projects show:

• Confidence in operational excellence
• Scalability to different programs
• Proof of performance in some of the world’s most important basins

SW Tasman’s work provides enhanced subsurface clarity that informs field strategies, supports production optimisation and underpins future field development.

OBN isn’t the future - it’s the new benchmark for enhanced clarity, reliability and deep insight. This new platform is about enabling better field stewardship, not just better imaging. With the SW Tasman and Pearl node platform, Shearwater is a key partner in securing Africa’s future energy.

Explore how Shearwater is making energy security possible as a proven partner across Africa.