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December 2006

TDI-Brooks' R/V POWELL Completes Pre-Drill Environmental Baseline Surveys in Nigeria

During 2006, TDI-Brooks using the R/V JW POWELL completed additional pre-drill environmental baseline survey (EBS) cruises in Nigeria for Chevron (OPL-247) Petrobras (OPL-315), Statoil (OPL-218) and SHELL through FugroNigeria in OPL-245, 322 and Block H, respectively. Figure 1 shows an updated map of all the pre- and post-drill EBSs that TDI-Brooks has conducted offshore Nigeria using the R/V GEOEXPLORER and R/V JW POWELL over the last three years. Our vessels have conducted virtually all the deep water EBSs in Nigeria over the last four (4) years.

Figure 1. Pre- and post-drill EBSs conducted by the R/V GEOEXPLORER and R/V JW POWELL in the 2003 to 2006 time period.

The pre- and post-drill EBSs involve the following sampling techniques:

• Grab sampling or box coring for infauna, chemical contaminants and ancillary parameters (Figure 2)
• Water column sampling with a CTD / Rosette for water column measurements (dissolved oxygen, nutrients, TSS, chlorophyll, etc.) (Figure 3)
• Phyto and zooplankton tows (Figure 4); and
• Air sampling.

Figure 2. A. Grab sampler being deployed from the starboard A-Frame on the R/V GEOEXPLORER. B. Sampling of the sediment from the grab sampler.

Figure 3. Deployment of the CTD / Rosette package for water column studies.

Figure 4. Plankton tow being processed on the back deck.

Additional details on the R/V JW POWELL or TDI-Brooks Int'l Inc. can be found at www.tdi-bi.com.