Data Scientist

Viridien and Aker BP partner to advance multi-client OBN seismic and geoscience workflows for exploration on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Viridien and Aker BP have entered into a strategic partnership agreement to strengthen collaboration across multi-client ocean bottom node (OBN) seismic data acquisition, imaging, and technology development. The agreement establishes a five year co-operation framework designed to align strategy and bring consistent effort to innovation and technology development, with the goal of optimising exploration efforts on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. By combining Aker BP's operational experience with Viridien's industry-leading imaging technology and expertise, this partnership also expands Viridien's multi-client OBN coverage to support large-scale exploration. Together, the com-panies aim to accelerate the discovery and development of additional reserves. Petter Sørhaug, Exploration & Reservoir Development, Aker BP, said: "Our strategic partnership with Viridien supports Aker BP's ambition to deliver profit-able and sustainable growth on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. We have built a close and constructive collaboration with Viridien over time. This agreement is a natural extension of our cooperation, and it also follows Aker BP's strategy to transform exploration and production through selected strategic partnerships. Aker BP sees ocean bottom node seismic as a key enabler for improved imaging and higher-quality subsurface data, both in exploration and field development. Together with Viridien we will further strengthen our capabilities in seismic acquisition, imaging, and processing to unlock greater value from our portfolio." Dechun Lin, Head of Earth Data, Viridien, said: "This multi-year agreement reflects Viridien's strategy for long-term collaboration and investment in the NCS. Our expertise in seismic imaging and local knowledge has played a significant role de-risking near-field exploration and enabling recent discoveries. We look forward to continuing working with Aker BP to develop technologies that will enhance the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and value of OBN." Image: signing ceremony for the viridien-aker BP strategic partnership agreement. From left to right: petter tobias østereng, supply chain manager - D&W & expres, Aker BP; kent andorsen, senior advanced geophysicist, Aker BP; marianne lefdal, VP globalex - geoscience, Viridien; jaswinder mann, director scandinavia - Earth Data, Viridien; helene hafslund veire, VP Exploration & Reservoir Development, Aker BP; erling frantzen, SVP EAME - Earth Data, Viridien; ross milne, advanced geophysicist, Aker BP; hilde nordbø, contracts & category professional, Aker BP (image courtesy of Aker BP). Read the latest issue of Oilfield Technology magazine for upstream news, project stories, industry insight and technical articles. The May/June 2026 issue of Oilfield Technology explores how the upstream industry is balancing operational efficiency, innovation, and sustainability in an evolving energy landscape. Topics range from offshore carbon capture and storage, subsea supply chains, and geothermal well development, to production monitoring, completions optimisation, digital integration, and data-driven asset performance. Together, the articles highlight how operators and technology providers are using advanced engineering, digital tools, and innovative approaches to improve reliability, maximise production, and support the industry's transition to a lower-carbon future. Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below):

Viridien has appointed Henning Berg as chief executive officer and director, following approval at its combined general meeting on 3 June 2026. Sophie Zurquiyah will remain chair of the board to maintain strategic continuity and guide the company's long-term vision. Berg previously served in senior leadership roles and will focus on accelerating innovation, deepening client partnerships and driving sustainable growth. Zurquiyah had served as CEO for eight years, during which the company rebuilt itself around an asset-light, technology-differentiated strategy. All resolutions were approved with strong shareholder support. The board of directors now comprises nine members, of whom 78% are independent and 44% are women. The meeting also approved financial statements for 2025 and remuneration policies for corporate officers.

Viridien CEO on accelerating subsurface insight to support Egypt's energy landscape. By Energy Connects Brand Studio Apr 30, 2026 Sophie Zurquiyah, Chief Executive Officer of Viridien, discusses the company's recent participation at EGYPES 2026, its 50 years of activity and partnerships in Egypt, and its continued support of the country's evolving energy landscape through its new Cairo imaging centre. You recently attended EGYPES 2026. What were the main highlights for Viridien? As always, the show provided a valuable opportunity for Energy Connects to engage with many of its clients and partners in Egypt and the wider region. I also took part in the "Turning AI into ROI" Strategic Programme session, where I outlined how, at Viridien, Energy Connects continue to advance its technology, digital platforms, and industrial-scale HPC & AI to deliver new subsurface insights, helping its clients accelerate their decision-making and generate tangible business outcomes. Its participation this year was particularly significant, as Energy Connects celebrate its 50th anniversary in Egypt, dating back to its first land seismic crew deployed there. Throughout that time, Energy Connects has gained in-depth knowledge of the unique characteristics of the country's onshore and offshore geology. Its experts draw on this local expertise to either innovate new seismic imaging technologies that address Egypt's specific subsurface challenges or apply the benefits of other technologies Energy Connects has proven in other regions of the world. While I was in Cairo, I also inaugurated its new imaging centre, which I see as a strategic investment that strengthens its presence and long-term commitment to Egypt. Purpose-built and future-ready, it has the capacity and infrastructure to support its expansion in the Egyptian market and symbolises the technical strength, professionalism, and ambition of its highly motivated local team, who continue to deliver the highest-quality imaging services to its clients. How do you see Egypt's energy landscape evolving, and what does that mean for the industry? With the strong support and impetus of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoMPR), Energy Connects see Egypt's energy landscape moving in a dynamic and positive direction, helping attract more international investment. The current strategy is clearly focused on accelerating exploration and fast-tracking development to reinforce Egypt's position as a regional energy hub and strengthen its energy resilience. With record exploration programs, over 100 wells planned, and a strong push to unlock untapped resources, speed and efficiency have become critical success factors. The current geopolitical situation and its impact on energy supplies will only serve to increase the momentum of this trend. "Our primary role is to give operators the rapid and reliable subsurface insight they need to support better planning, improved recovery and more resilient long-term energy strategies. This can be either through the acquisition and imaging of new datasets or by reimaging legacy data." - Sophie Zurquiyah, Chief Executive Officer of Viridien Several exciting recent discoveries have already testified to the region's potential, not only to meet domestic demand but also to supply surplus volumes for export. With the expectation of more discoveries to come, Egypt is embracing the latest technologies and innovative exploration methods to open new frontiers in its energy sector, whether in the Eastern Mediterranean or the Western Desert, helping to diversify risk and increase supply resilience. Having said that, maximising known resources is just as important to increase resilience as opening entirely new frontiers. As fields mature, it is vital to have a clear understanding of remaining potential and identify where revitalisation can deliver the greatest impact. Operators are therefore increasingly focused on achieving sharper reservoir definition to make more informed redevelopment decisions. More specifically, how is Viridien supporting these trends? Its primary role is to give operators the rapid and reliable subsurface insight they need to support better planning, improved recovery and more resilient long-term energy strategies. This can be either through the acquisition and imaging of new datasets or by reimaging legacy data. Viridien is recognised by industry decision-makers as the leading provider of best-in-class seismic imaging. For example, its imaging work on the standout Atoll Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) project, which clearly demonstrated how modern acquisition combined with advanced imaging can significantly improve reservoir understanding, built a strong technical foundation for Energy Connects to be awarded major offshore proprietary seismic imaging projects in Egypt. During my recent trip to Cairo, I emphasised its commitment to delivering impactful imaging solutions that support the MoMPR's goals. An example is its recently announced multi-client seismic OBN program with its partners, Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) and SLB. As the largest of its kind to be acquired in the Egyptian Eastern Mediterranean, this project will provide regional de-risking with turnkey workflows. This area has great development potential but features some of the most challenging environments for seismic imaging, owing to complex faulting and the Messinian evaporite layer that masks deep reservoirs formed by complex channel sand bodies. Its advanced OBN imaging technologies will provide a clearer understanding of the region's complex subsurface and help identify new opportunities for exploration and increased production. Onshore, many Western Desert fields are at a mature stage of development, requiring reservoir models to be updated through the integration of modern seismic and drilling data, particularly in deeper, more structurally complex reservoirs. Remaining potential often lies within compartmentalised reservoirs, thin-bedded sands, and subtle structural traps that were not fully resolved by earlier datasets. Its advanced imaging workflows, including Time-Lag Full-Waveform Inversion (TLFWI), deliver high-resolution velocity models that improve depth accuracy and structural definition, reducing uncertainty and supporting more confident redevelopment and investment decisions. It's worth noting that recent successful wells drilled in the Western Desert were based on imaging by Viridien. Building on its role as a technology enabler, Energy Connects has also invested in testing its Full-Waveform Inversion (FWI) technology for onshore data in Egypt, with impressive results that would significantly help de-risk drilling programs. With the expected increase in high-productivity seismic activity in Egypt's Western Desert, how can your Sercel sensing and monitoring solutions support this growth? Its new Sercel Accel land nodal solution, launched last year, was specifically designed to enable this scale of high-productivity acquisition. It allows operators to deploy faster, cover larger areas, and deliver high-resolution data with a reduced operational footprint, supporting quicker decision-making and shorter cycle times from acquisition to drilling. Ultimately, it's about aligning its technology with Egypt's ambition: accelerating discovery, optimising investment, and bringing resources to market faster, more efficiently, and sustainably. Will Viridien's upcoming CEO transition shift the company's focus? Not at all. Its strategy, priorities and commitment to its clients and partners will remain unchanged. Since Henning Berg joined Viridien as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in March, Energy Connects has been working closely together to ensure a smooth and seamless transition into the role of CEO on 3 June. Henning has more than two decades of international leadership experience across operational and technology-driven businesses, and I am delighted to hand over CEO responsibilities to him while I continue as Chair of its Board to maintain strategic continuity and guide Viridien's long-term vision.