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ARKeX expands into West Africa

Friday, 02 November 2007

Airborne geophysical survey specialist, ARKeX, has announced further worldwide expansion through the acquisition of its third exploration aircraft and its first contract outside of North America. Cambridge-based ARKeX took delivery of its second aircraft in July this year before acquiring Ark Geophysics – the company that actually co-founded it – for an undisclosed amount in September. ARKeX has now ordered a third plane with its BlueQube technology to be delivered in the first half of 2008, while work for an oil & gas client in West Africa will begin later this year. BlueQube uses minute variations in the earth’s gravitational field to pinpoint oil, gas and mineral deposits buried deep underground from a plane flying overhead. This complements the industry’s more conventional seismic reflection survey methods by helping resolve issues of awkward terrain, safety considerations, logistics or legislation, which can make them too costly or too difficult to execute. ARKeX believes BlueQube is an ideal technology for gaining a better understanding of the sub-surface geology in West Africa, which has continued to be a successful area for oil & gas companies as exploration trends look to onshore targets though parts are often covered in thick jungle and are difficult to access. ARKeX was formed as a joint spin-out from the IP of Oxford Instruments Superconductivity and the oil and gas expertise of Newport Pagnell’s ARK Geophysics, which it recently acquired and will continue to run from its existing facility.

 

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