Seismic Survey Market

Market Definition

Seismic surveys involve geophysical techniques that generate subsurface images by transmitting acoustic or elastic waves into the earth and analyzing the reflected signals. These surveys enable the precise mapping of geological structures to support the exploration and development of oil, gas, minerals, and geothermal resources. 

Seismic surveys are applied in onshore and offshore environments, aiding reservoir characterization, drilling planning, and environmental impact assessments.

Seismic Survey Market Overview

The global seismic survey market size was valued at USD 10.36 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 10.84 billion in 2025 to USD 15.48 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.22% during the forecast period. 

The market is growing due to its expanding application in mining, construction, and renewable energy projects, that rely on seismic data for subsurface analysis and site assessment. Additionally, rising global energy demand is driving exploration in complex environments and boosting the need for advanced seismic technologies.

Major companies operating in the seismic survey industry are Schlumberger Limited, CGG S.A., Petroleum Geo‑Services, TGS‑NOPEC Geophysical Company, Fugro N.V., ION Geophysical Corporation, Geospace Technologies Corporation, Mitcham Industries, Inc., SeaBird Exploration, Spectrum ASA, Fairfield Geotechnologies, Electromagnetic GeoServices, Polarcus DMCC, Nanometrics Inc., and Inova Geophysical.

Rising global energy exploration activities are driving the demand for seismic surveys to support the search for oil, gas, and unconventional resources. Exploration companies are increasingly relying on high-resolution subsurface mapping to identify viable hydrocarbon deposits with greater accuracy. 

Expanding interest in offshore drilling and shale resource development requires advanced seismic technologies to reduce exploration risks and optimize well placement. Seismic surveys enable detailed geological assessments that improve decision-making during exploration and development phases. 

Increasing investments in upstream energy projects are further accelerating the adoption of 2D and 3D seismic imaging solutions.

• In July 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is overseeing the development of 70 additional utility-scale clean energy projects across the Western U.S. These projects could collectively generate nearly 32 gigawatts of renewable energy. Furthermore, the BLM has initiated preliminary reviews for around 166 solar and wind energy development applications, along with over 40 applications related to site testing for solar and wind projects.

Key Highlights

1. The seismic survey market size was valued at USD 10.36 billion in 2024.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.22% from 2025 to 2032.
3. North America held a market share of 36.33% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 3.76 billion.
4. The data acquisition segment garnered USD 4.89 billion in revenue in 2024.
5. The 3D imaging (3D Seismic) segment is expected to reach USD 7.48 billion by 2032.
6. The offshore segment secured the largest revenue share of 46.43% in 2024.
7. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.65% during the forecast period.

Market Driver

Rising Integration across Mining, Construction, and Renewables

The expansion of seismic survey applications across mining, construction, and renewable energy sectors is driving steady market growth. Seismic surveys are being increasingly used in mineral exploration to locate and map underground ore deposits with precision. 

Infrastructure development projects such as tunnels, bridges, and large-scale transportation systems require detailed subsurface data to minimize geological risks and reduce construction delays. The growing deployment of geothermal energy systems depends on seismic imaging to assess thermal reservoirs and determine suitable drilling sites. 

Offshore wind energy developers are using seismic surveys to analyze seabed conditions and ensure the stability of turbine foundations.

• In October 2024, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) commissioned its first large-scale 3D ultra-high resolution seismic soil survey across over 300 km² of the Doordewind Offshore Wind Farm Zone in the North Sea. Survey data reached depths of 100 m, providing precise seabed profiles critical for turbine foundation design.

Market Challenge

High Operational and Capital Costs Limiting Project Feasibility

A key challenge in the seismic survey market is managing substantial investments required for conducting offshore and onshore exploration activities. These surveys demand costly vessels, advanced sensor technology, and highly skilled personnel, which leads to elevated project expenses. 

These financial requirements make it difficult for smaller firms to enter the market and for existing players to pursue marginal or high-risk reserves.

To address this challenge, market players are adopting cost-sharing partnerships, investing in multi-client survey models, and improving operational efficiency through advanced data acquisition technologies. Companies are also focusing on optimizing crew deployment and enhancing equipment utilization to control overall expenditure.

• In January 2024, PGS and its joint venture partners TGS and SLB secured pre-funding for a 5,000 km² multi-client 2D seismic survey off Sabah, Malaysia, including over 2,600 km of legacy data processing and 2,800 km² of enhanced 2D‑cubed processing. The project used shared investment from consortium partners to expand coverage efficiently and began mobilization.

Market Trend

Advancing Exploration with Autonomous and Remote Sensing

A major trend in the market is the adoption of autonomous and remote sensing technologies for data acquisition in challenging environments. Companies are deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), drones, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and nodal sensors to collect high-resolution subsurface data. 

These technologies are enabling efficient operations in remote, deepwater, and hazardous areas where traditional methods are limited or expensive. The use of autonomous systems is reducing human exposure to risk and lowering the overall cost of exploration activities. 

Real-time data transmission and advanced navigation capabilities are improving the accuracy and reliability of seismic readings.

• In December 2024, Aker BP collaborated with PXGEO to introduce the MantaRay autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for streamlining ocean-bottom node seismic surveys. The vehicle operates at depths from 4 m to 3,000 m and autonomously transports up to 40 nodes to the seabed. Real-time seabed mapping via onboard sonar enables precise placement and recovery, cutting survey time by approximately 50%.

Seismic Survey Market Report Snapshot

Market Segmentation

• By Service Type (Data Acquisition, Data Processing, and Data Interpretation): The data acquisition segment earned USD 4.89 billion in 2024, due to the growing need for high-quality, real-time subsurface data in expanding offshore and onshore energy exploration projects.
• By Technology (2D Imaging (2D Seismic), 3D Imaging (3D Seismic), and 4D Imaging (4D Seismic)): The 3D imaging (3D Seismic) segment held 48.32% of the market in 2024, attributed to its ability to provide detailed subsurface imaging, which enhances reservoir characterization and reduces drilling risks.
• By Deployment Method (Onshore, Offshore, and Transition Zone): The offshore segment is projected to reach USD 7.81 billion by 2032, owing to increased deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration activities driven by rising global energy demand and the discovery of untapped hydrocarbon reserves.

Seismic Survey Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

The North America seismic survey market share stood at 36.33% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 3.76 billion. This dominance is driven by North America's leadership in the development of unconventional resources such as shale oil and gas. 

Seismic surveys are essential for optimizing well placement, enhancing reservoir understanding, and minimizing drilling risks. In regions such as the Permian Basin and Montney Formation, operators are utilizing high-resolution 3D and time-lapse seismic technologies to boost production efficiency and lower environmental impact.

• In June 2024, TGS released a Dynamic Matching FWI (DM‑FWI) volume from a 1,054 km² West Kermit 3D seismic survey in the Delaware portion of the Permian Basin. The new dataset provided the enhanced imaging of multiple reservoir zones, including Wolfcamp and Bone Spring intervals, using advanced land seismic processing methods.

The seismic survey industry in Asia Pacific is poised for significant growth at a CAGR of 5.65% over the forecast period. This growth is driven by active exploration of several frontier basins across Asia Pacific, particularly in offshore regions with untapped oil and gas potential. 

The shift toward deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas has significantly increased the demand for advanced seismic surveys, such as 3D and 4D imaging. These technologies are essential for accurately mapping complex subsurface formations and identifying viable drilling targets in geologically challenging settings.

• In March 2024, Ratio Petroleum Energy began a 3D seismic survey off the Philippines’ East Palawan Basin, covering 416,000 ha, and approximately 150 km offshore using Shearwater GeoServices to acquire detailed subsurface data over a 35‑day campaign.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the U.S., seismic survey activities are regulated under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and various Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provisions. Offshore surveys require environmental impact assessments and permits from agencies like the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
• The UK mandates that offshore seismic surveys comply with the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001, updated in 2007 and 2017. Operators must conduct environmental assessments and follow mitigation protocols outlined by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). Consent from the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is required, and surveys must implement soft-starts and shut-downs when marine mammals are detected within exclusion zones.
• China’s seismic survey operations are regulated by the Surveying and Mapping Law, which requires foreign entities to partner with Chinese firms and obtain prior approval for data collection. The Ministry of Natural Resources supervises these activities, enforcing restrictions on the resolution and dissemination of geospatial data. The Law on Protecting Against and Mitigating Earthquake Disasters also requires seismic risk assessments for major projects, which include dams, pipelines, and energy infrastructure.
• In Japan, seismic surveys are regulated by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) and guided by the Special Measures Law on Earthquake Disaster Prevention. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) also enforces acoustic safety measures for marine surveys, including pre-survey marine mammal observations and gradual power-up protocols.
• India regulates seismic surveys through zoning classifications established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Areas are categorized into Zones II to V, based on seismic risk, which influences survey permissions and construction guidelines. Environmental clearances are required for seismic operations near protected regions.

Competitive Landscape

Major players in the seismic survey market are adopting strategies such as investing in advanced data processing technologies, expanding multi-client survey libraries, and forming strategic partnerships to enhance regional coverage and reduce exploration risks. 

These efforts, coupled with an ongoing emphasis on research and development aimed at improving high-resolution imaging techniques, are further strengthening their market position and enabling more precise subsurface analysis.

• In July 2024, TGS launched a new seismic survey in the Seram Basin, Indonesia. The 2D seismic project covers more than 1,800 km of new data using a 12 km offset streamer. This data will be processed through broadband PSTM, PSDM, and 24 Hz FWI techniques to deliver high-resolution subsurface imaging.

List of Key Companies in Seismic Survey Market:

• Schlumberger Limited
• CGG S.A.
• Petroleum Geo‑Services
• TGS‑NOPEC Geophysical Company
• Fugro N.V.
• ION Geophysical Corporation
• Geospace Technologies Corporation
• Mitcham Industries, Inc.
• SeaBird Exploration
• Spectrum ASA
• Fairfield Geotechnologies
• Electromagnetic GeoServices
• Polarcus DMCC
• Nanometrics Inc.
• Inova Geophysical

Recent Developments (Partnerships/Agreements)

• In April 2025, SLB partnered with Shell to enhance subsurface data analysis and interpretation capabilities. Shell will deploy SLB’s Petrel subsurface software across its global asset base to support seismic interpretation workflows using artificial intelligence. The deployment aligns both companies on digital tools and standardization across subsurface operations.
• In January 2025, Aker BP partnered with PXGEO to deploy the seismic acquisition technology. The partnership uses PXGEO’s MantaRay autonomous underwater vehicle to deploy and recover ocean bottom nodes with reduced seabed impact. This partnership aims to improve operational efficiency and data quality in the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
• In November 2024, Shearwater Geoservices was awarded a large 3D seismic project offshore India by ONGC. The survey, to be conducted using the Oceanic Sirius vessel, spans approximately 2,200 km² and is scheduled to begin in 2025. This initiative adds to Shearwater's eight consecutive seasons of operations in the country.
• In November 2024, Shearwater Geoservices was awarded a large 2D seismic contract offshore India. The project spans 15,500 line‑kilometres along the west coast continental shelf margin and is expected to run for five months starting in Q4 2024. It forms part of India’s National Seismic Program and supports the mapping of unappraised offshore areas.