inApril

What inApril does

inApril AS is a Norwegian independent supplier of Ocean Bottom Seismic (OBS) technology and the developer of Venator, a fully integrated Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) seabed acquisition system. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Bergen with offices in Oslo, Trondheim, and Jaren, the company designs, manufactures, and rents hardware (A3000 and A3000LL nodes rated to 3,600m depth with 125-200 day battery life), hands-free launch and retrieval systems operating at up to 9 knots, automated containerized node storage/charging solutions, and a modular Data Management System (DMS) — built on software acquired with Profocus Systems AS in 2017. The product architecture is a node-agnostic integrated platform marketed as complete systems or individual modules, complemented by the Argus SourceQC real-time source-quality software.

The company serves three primary customer segments: major IOCs and NOCs requiring deep-water OBN surveys, infrastructure-led exploration, and 4D reservoir monitoring; seismic contractors running large-scale OBN surveys with full-azimuth acquisition; and a secondary mid-market segment (site surveys, undershoots, reservoir monitoring, scientific research) addressed via the Mini OBN Rental Kit. Named customers include GEO Energy Group LLP, Lundin Petroleum, SAExploration, and European research institutions, with operational deployments across the North Sea, Caspian Sea, and Brazil Campos Basin.

inApril's go-to-market is enterprise field sales via direct engagement, technical demonstrations, sea trials, and major industry exhibitions (EAGE, SEG). Revenue is generated through hardware sales, multi-year rental kits (up to 3,000 A3000 nodes per kit), pay-as-you-go Mini OBN kits, software/licensing, and component/engineering services. On January 6, 2025, SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAEX) acquired inApril, which now operates as a separate business unit within SAE, providing Venator technology to SAE's global seismic client base.

Name

inApril

Legal name

inApril AS

Website

https://inapril.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

inApril AS is a Norwegian supplier of ocean bottom seismic (OBS) technology, offering the fully integrated Venator OBN system — comprising A3000 nodes, hands-free launch/retrieval, automated storage, and data management software — to oil companies, seismic contractors, and research institutions worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lillestrøm

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. OBN Hardware Sales: Sale of ocean bottom nodes (A3000, A3000-150, A3000LL) and complete OBN systems to seismic operators and research institutions. Nodes available for purchase individually or as part of complete systems.
2. OBN Equipment Rentals: Short and long-term rental of OBN systems including nodes (up to 3,000 A3000 nodes), automated charging containers, and Data Management Systems. Rental kits available for both ROV and Node-on-a-Rope operations in depths from 5m to 3,000m.
3. Mini OBN Rental Kits: Rental of compact OBN kits with up to 550 seismic nodes designed for smaller projects including special site surveys, reservoir monitoring, and scientific projects.
4. Software and Data Management Services: Data Management System licensing and software services including node electronics packages, topside data management software, and real-time quality control systems.
5. Component and Technology Sales: Individual components of the Venator system sold separately including node electronics, data management software, launch and retrieval systems, and engineering customization services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

inApril is an independent supplier of Ocean Bottom Seismic (OBS) technology and the provider of Venator, a fully integrated and automated ocean bottom node (OBN) seabed seismic acquisition system. The company sells A3000 ocean bottom nodes, hands-free Node-on-a-Rope launch and retrieval automation, containerized node storage and charging, and a modular Data Management System (DMS), offered individually or as the complete Venator solution, and also rents pre-configured 3,000-node and 550-node (Mini) OBN kits for offshore seismic surveys in depths from 5m to 3,600m.

Product overview

inApril is a supplier of OBS (Ocean Bottom Seismic) technology and the independent provider of Venator, the complete and fully automated ocean bottom node (OBN) based seabed seismic solution. The product portfolio is organized as an integrated system-plus-modules architecture. At the core is the Venator system, which integrates four main product components: the A3000/A3000LL Ocean Bottom Nodes (deployable in depths from 0-3600m with up to 200-day battery life), the Launch and Retrieval System (hands-free Node-On-A-Rope system operating at up to 6 knots), Node Storage Solutions (automated containerized or fixed parking/storage systems), and the Data Management System (scalable software controlling communications, data download, QC, and navigation merging). inApril also offers complementary products including Argus SourceQC (real-time seismic source quality control software) and operates rental services through its OBN Rentals division offering kits of up to 3,000 nodes and a Mini OBN Rental Kit for smaller projects. The subsidiary Profocus Systems provides data management software and real-time QC solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Profocus Systems: Subsidiary developing recording software, data management, and real-time quality control systems for high-end marine seismic acquisition industry.
• Venator
• Argus SourceQC

Products and services

• Venator Integrated OBN System Complete and fully automated ocean bottom node (OBN) based seabed seismic solution that integrates nodes, launch and retrieval systems, node logistics, onboard storage, and a data management and control system for acquiring ocean bottom seismic data at lower cost without compromising data quality. Sold as an integrated system to seismic operators and oil companies.
• A3000 Ocean Bottom Node All-in-one dual-mode ocean bottom node capable of deployment in both deep and shallow water down to 3,600 meters, with continuous recording for up to 150 days (and up to 200 days on the A3000LL variant). Features four-channel recording, omni-directional geophones, hydrophone, precision OCXO clock and built-in USBL positioning transponder. Sold individually or as part of the Venator system to seismic operators and oil companies.
• Launch and Retrieval System (Node-on-a-Rope) Integrated, safe, hands-free Node-on-a-Rope (NOAR) launch and retrieval system allowing deployment and retrieval speeds up to 6 knots (upgraded to 9+ knots in 2018) with full rope stop in less than a second. Designed for maximum safety with no human exposure during the process, and capable of handling 10,000+ nodes from a single vessel.
• Node Storage Solutions Fully automatic and hands-free node parking and storage solution, node-agnostic and available in containerized versions or fixed installations on vessels. The system manages parallel processes including data download, clock synchronization, battery charging and firmware upgrades for nodes 'good to go' and incoming nodes.
• Data Management System (DMS) Scalable software system acting as the main user interface for communications with nodes, data download, navigation merging and QC deliverable production. Modular architecture includes node interface module, data quality module, transcription module, node logistics module and hardware surveillance module; scalable to any node count. Licensable to seismic operators.
• Argus SourceQC Real-time, non-intrusive seismic source quality control software that warns operators of anomalies in hydrophone air gun signatures during acquisition. Includes optional SourceQC Autopilot with automatic data QC and alarm notification. Developed by Profocus Systems, an inApril subsidiary.
• OBN Rentals (Full Kit) Short and long-term OBN system rentals for both ROV and Node-on-a-Rope surveys in depths between 5m and 3,000m (nodes rated to 3,600m). Rental kits include up to 3,000 A3000 nodes, automated 20-foot node charging and staging container, and the Data Management System with data QC module, with first-in/first-out node processing during rolling operations.
• Mini OBN Rental Kit Easy-to-use compact rental kit for smaller projects, including up to 550 seismic nodes usable in transition zones, shallow water and deep water (up to 3,000 meters). Air-freight certified, mobilizable on short notice, and includes remote QC capabilities; designed for special site surveys, seismic undershoots, reservoir monitoring, river crossings, geotechnical surveys and scientific projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Deployment/retrieval speeds up to 9 knots (upgraded from initial 6 knots)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SAExploration Holdings Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2025SAExploration acquired inApril AS on January 6, 2025, creating a major combination in the seismic technology market. inApril operates as a separate business unit within SAExploration while providing its Venator technology and OBN solutions to SAE's global operations. The acquisition brings technological benefits to SAE's clients especially for ocean bottom seismic projects. Former inApril Chairman Paal E. Johnsen joined the SAExploration Board of Directors.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Magseis Fairfield: Formed from the 2019 merger of Magseis and Fairfield Geotechnologies, Magseis Fairfield is a leading independent provider of ocean bottom node (OBN) seismic acquisition services and node technology, directly competing with inApril's Venator system.
• Geospace Technologies: Designs and manufactures seismic nodes and acquisition systems (including the OBX-750) and is a cooperation partner of inApril for deployment/retrieval systems. Directly comparable as a node hardware specialist serving the same OBN customer base.

Broad incumbents

• SAExploration Holdings: Acquired inApril in January 2025 and now operates it as a separate business unit. SAExploration is a global seismic acquisition services provider with crew and vessel capacity that competes with PGS, TGS, and BGP in the offshore seismic market.
• PGS (Petroleum Geo-Services): One of the world's largest offshore seismic companies, operating a global fleet of vessels and offering both streamer and node-based acquisition services. PGS competes broadly with inApril's OBN rentals and integrated acquisition offerings.
• TGS: Major multi-client geoscience data and offshore seismic services company. TGS competes in the OBN space (including via its 4CNode Geophysical joint venture) and serves the same IOC/NOC customer base as inApril.
• CGG (Compagnie Générale de Géophysique): Global geoscience company with significant offshore seismic acquisition and OBN capabilities. CGG competes with inApril for node-based surveys, particularly in the North Sea, Brazil, and other deep-water basins.
• Schlumberger / WesternGeco: Largest oilfield services player with the WesternGeco seismic business, operating a global fleet including OBN-capable vessels. Competes broadly with inApril and could develop or acquire comparable OBN automation technology.
• BGP (China National Petroleum Corporation subsidiary): One of the world's largest land and marine seismic contractors, with growing offshore node acquisition capabilities. Competes with inApril on global tenders, particularly for IOCs and NOCs seeking integrated OBN services.
• ION Geophysical: Provides seismic acquisition technology, software, and survey services, including ocean bottom technologies. While smaller than the majors, ION offers overlapping node and survey capabilities relevant to inApril's market.

Emerging players

• 4CNode Geophysical: Niche node technology company that has signed a technology cooperation agreement with inApril to use its nodes and data management. A small but directly comparable emerging player in the OBN node market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inapril-as

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about inApril