Geopartners

What Geopartners does

GeoPartners Ltd. is a London-based international geophysical consultancy founded in 2009 by Elwyn Jones, Jim Gulland, and John Church, operating from Mayfair with a small core team augmented by an extensive partner and consultant bench. The firm specializes in initiating, developing, promoting, and marketing multi-client seismic surveys — 2D and 3D, onshore and offshore — together with complementary non-seismic services including gravity, magnetic, resistivity, and piston core / heat-flow / seep sampling surveys. GeoPartners works with leading acquisition and processing partners (BGP, CGG, TGS, PGS, Shearwater, DUG, Harvex, Seabird) to deliver projects using ultra-long offset broadband acquisition, deep-tow streamers, and modern depth-imaging workflows.

The firm's primary customers are government ministries, petroleum regulatory bodies, and National Oil Companies in frontier and emerging hydrocarbon basins — predominantly across Sub-Saharan Africa (Angola, Côte d'Ivoire, Congo, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Zanzibar/Tanzania, Gambia), with additional activity in the UK, Ireland, and Suriname. Revenue is generated through (i) multi-client data licensing fees, where multiple oil companies pre-fund acquisition costs and subsequently license the resulting seismic volumes; (ii) professional services including technical and commercial evaluation for licensing rounds, farm-in/farm-out reviews, and NOC consultancy via partner Beagle Geoscience; and (iii) direct exploration upside through associate company Bissau Exploration Company, which holds a 90% equity interest in Block 4B offshore Guinea Bissau. The company has completed over 40 multi-client projects since inception and continues to actively expand its portfolio, with multiple new country agreements and project acquisitions underway across Africa and into South America through 2025.

Name

Geopartners

Legal name

GeoPartners Ltd.

Website

https://geopartnersltd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GeoPartners Ltd. is a London-based international geophysical consultancy that initiates, develops, and markets multi-client 2D and 3D seismic surveys (plus seep sampling and non-seismic services) for government ministries, National Oil Companies, and E&P companies in frontier hydrocarbon basins across Africa and the Americas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geophysical Services for Oil and Gas Exploration

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Support Activities for Mining (2131), Oil and Gas Extraction (2111)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

Seismic & Geoscience Services (Acquisition, Processing, Interpretation) (EUALABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAB), Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)

Keywords

• Multi-client seismic surveys
• Geophysical consultancy services
• Seismic data licensing
• Oil and gas exploration
• Geological survey design

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Multi-Client Seismic Data Licensing: GeoPartners develops and manages multi-client seismic surveys where multiple oil companies pre-fund the acquisition costs and subsequently licence the resulting seismic data. Over forty MC projects have been completed since the company was founded in 2009. Revenue is generated through data licensing fees from multiple pre-funders and subsequent data sales.
2. Technical and Commercial Consultancy Services: Provision of consultancy services to National Oil Companies to help them manage relationships with seismic contractors, and to oil companies for technical and commercial evaluation of exploration acreage in licensing rounds and farm-out negotiations.
3. Interpretation and Geological Consultancy: Full interpretation services including prospect generation, peer review, farm-in/farm-out reviews, licensing round support, project management, training, reserves audits, negotiation, seismic interpretation, processing QC, and regional studies delivered through partner Beagle Geoscience.
4. Block Operations (Equity Participation): Through associate company Bissau Exploration Company, GeoPartners holds 90% equity in Block 4B offshore Guinea Bissau in partnership with Petroguin, participating directly in exploration and development upside.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GeoPartners is a London-based geophysical and geological consultancy that designs, manages, and markets multi-client 2D and 3D seismic survey programs in frontier and emerging basins, and licenses the resulting non-exclusive seismic datasets to oil and gas companies. The firm also provides geological and geophysical consultancy, survey design, project management, seismic interpretation, and licence-round advisory services to government agencies, national oil companies, and international oil companies operating in Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe, and the Americas.

Product overview

GeoPartners Ltd. is an international geophysical consultancy that provides multi-client seismic projects and related services to government agencies, national oil companies, and the oil and gas industry. The company operates from headquarters in London's Mayfair and specializes in creating, acquiring, marketing, and financing multi-client seismic surveys. Their core offerings include Seismic Data Acquisition Services (covering land, marine, transition zone, 2D, and 3D surveys), Seismic Data Processing (including depth imaging and multi-client processing), Gravity/Magnetic & Resistivity Services, Interpretation Services through partner Beagle Geoscience, and Licence Rounds Advisory support. Their multi-client portfolio spans multiple geographic regions including Africa (Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Angola, Ghana, Mozambique, Congo, Kenya, Zanzibar), Europe (UK, Ireland), and the Americas (Suriname), with projects ranging from 3D seismic acquisition to seep sampling surveys. The company also provides brokerage services for legacy seismic data and holds exploration assets through its associate company Bissau Exploration Company in Guinea Bissau. GeoPartners works with technical partners including BGP, CGG, TGS, PGS, DUG, Shearwater, and others for survey operations and processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Multi-Client 2D and 3D Seismic Surveys

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 multi-client projects completed since 2009
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bissau Exploration Company (Associate)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2017Bissau Exploration Company is an associate company of GeoPartners Ltd, established specifically to assist Petroguin, the national oil company of Guinea Bissau, in accelerating hydrocarbon resource development. Bissau Exploration holds a 90% equity stake in Block 4B offshore Guinea Bissau, with Petroguin holding a 10% carried interest. This represents GeoPartners' most direct equity participation in an exploration asset.
• Beagle GeosciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterpretation partner providing multidisciplinary geological and geophysical consultancy services including prospect generation, peer review, farm-in reviews, licensing round support, project management, training, reserves audits, negotiation, seismic interpretation, processing QC, and regional studies.
• BGPcoreTechnology or Integration3D Survey Partner — one of the world's leading geophysical service companies delivering a wide range of technologies, services, and equipment to the oil and gas industry worldwide. BGP provides seismic acquisition vessels (e.g., BGP Prospector used for Sierra Leone 3D survey).
• CGGcoreTechnology or Integration3D Survey Partner providing products and services spanning the breadth of geosciences, from frontier exploration to mature field revitalisation. Partnered with GeoPartners on the Lodestone Q44 3D survey in the UK North Sea.
• DownUnder GeoSolutions (DUG)coreTechnology or IntegrationSeismic Processing Partner — an innovative geosciences company providing cutting-edge seismic processing services. DUG carries out processing for GeoPartners' surveys including the SNS Regional Deep Imaging 2D 2018 survey and the AGC Central 3D survey.
• TGScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2D and 3D Survey Partner providing multi-client geoscience data to oil and gas E&P companies worldwide. TGS is a key partner on the JAAN 3D regional survey (28,000 sq. km), the Senegal Deepwater 3D survey, and the NWAAM17 2D survey.
• PGScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2D and 3D Survey Partner — technology-driven seismic and reservoir services provider. Partner on the JAAN 3D regional survey and Senegal Deepwater 3D survey alongside TGS.
• PGScoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner on the NWAAM17 2D survey with over 23,000 km of data acquired using a 12 km deep-tow streamer.
• Shearwater GeoServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationAcquisition and Processing Partner — global marine geoscience and technology business providing seismic acquisition and processing services for GeoPartners' multi-client projects.
• Trois GeoconsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE&P Services Partner focused on Sub-Saharan Africa. Founded by Alessandro Colla, Trois Geoconsulting is a key partner on seep sampling surveys in Suriname, Côte d'Ivoire, and Angola onshore projects.
• Harvex GeosolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationGeophysical Services Partner — privately-owned UK company providing niche and cutting-edge seismic, non-seismic, geotechnical, and oilfield-related contract and multi-client projects to the sub-Sahara African oil and gas industry. Partner on Côte d'Ivoire deep-water 3D, Côte d'Ivoire 3D reprocessing, and Côte d'Ivoire seep survey.
• MGGS BVcoreTechnology or IntegrationGeological and Geophysical Services Partner — Dutch-based company with experts in geology and geophysics. Partner on AGC Brokered Surveys data provision.
• Lyme Bay ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterpretation Partner helping understand value within seismic volumes through the Detailed Reconnaissance Study (DRS) workflow.
• SeabirdcoreTechnology or IntegrationMarine seismic acquisition partner. Used vessel Harrier Explorer for the SNS Regional Deep Imaging 2D 2018 (SNR18) survey and the SNR18 2D survey in the Southern North Sea.
• ANPG (Angola)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis — the National Oil Company and regulatory body of Angola. GeoPartners has been awarded contracts for 2D and 3D multi-client surveys in the Namibe Basin and Lower Congo Basin.
• SNPC (Congo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo — the National Oil Company of the Republic of Congo. Exclusive agreement signed for a new Multi-Client 3D survey in the offshore Peu Profond area.
• DGH and PetroCi (Côte d'Ivoire)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirection Générale des Hydrocarbures and La Société Nationale d'Opérations Pétrolières de la Côte d'Ivoire. Working with GeoPartners for deep-water 3D acquisition, 3D reprocessing, and seep surveys over the offshore area.
• AGC (Senegal/Guinea Bissau)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgence de Gestion et de Coopération entre le Sénégal et la Guinée Bissau. A joint exploration zone authority. GeoPartners acquired 1,921 sq. km of 3D seismic data on the AGC Central Block and brokers 2D and 3D seismic data over the AGC area.
• Petrosen E&P (Senegal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Oil Company of Senegal. Exclusive agreement signed to promote, market, and license over 11,000 sq. km of Multi-Client 3D seismic data over recently relinquished blocks offshore Senegal.
• Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe petroleum regulatory body of Sierra Leone. Multiple partnerships including new multi-client 3D seismic acquisition (first in Sierra Leone in over a decade), new 2D survey (7,000+ km), and legacy 2D seismic data (7,000+ km vintage data).
• INP (Mozambique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstituto Nacional de Petróleo of Mozambique. Exclusive agreement for 12,000 sq. km 3D multi-client survey in the Angoche Basin, and technical assistance for multi-client licensing of legacy 2D and 3D datasets for the 6th Licensing Round.
• Staatsolie (Suriname)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStaatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. — the National Oil Company of Suriname. Completed 50,000 sq. km piston core, heat-flow and seep sampling survey in January 2025.
• Petroguin (Guinea Bissau)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Oil Company of Guinea Bissau. Partner in Block 4B via Bissau Exploration Company, with a 10% carried interest. Also partner in new seismic surveys.
• Petroleum Commission of GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe petroleum regulatory body of Ghana. Agreement signed for a 14,000 sq. km multi-client 3D survey in the Keta Basin, offshore Ghana.
• Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and GNPC (Gambia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGambia's Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and Gambia National Petroleum Company. Partner on multi-client surveys in Gambian offshore area.
• National Oil KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Oil Company of Kenya. Signed agreement for Piston Core, Heat-flow and Seep Sampling Survey covering over 80,000 sq. km offshore Kenya.
• Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe petroleum regulatory authority of Zanzibar. Signed agreement for Piston Core, Heat-flow and Seep Sampling Survey covering over 46,000 sq. km offshore Zanzibar.
• DECC (Ireland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of the Environment, Climate & Communications of Ireland. Country partner for the North Celtic Sea 2015 (NCS2015) survey.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Searcher Seismic: Searcher is a multi-client geoscience data company with a strong focus on frontier and emerging basins in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. It is a similarly sized specialist competing for exclusive multi-client mandates in many of the same geographies as GeoPartners.
• ION Geophysical: ION Geophysical provides seismic data acquisition, processing, and multi-client data libraries globally, with a notable presence in frontier exploration data. It competes with GeoPartners in the multi-client seismic niche and shares several personnel and customer relationships (e.g., James Pryor's prior role at ION).
• Shearwater GeoServices: Shearwater is a global marine seismic acquisition and processing company with a growing multi-client library, active offshore Africa. It is a direct competitor in marine multi-client 3D and an acquisition/processing partner to GeoPartners on multiple multi-client projects.

Others

• Westwood Global Energy Group: Westwood is a specialist research and consulting firm covering upstream E&P and the seismic services sector. It is not a direct competitor in multi-client data but provides commercial and strategic advisory that overlaps with GeoPartners' own advisory and licensing round services for NOCs and IOCs.

Broad incumbents

• BGP (Bureau Geophysical Prospecting): BGP is one of the world's largest land and marine geophysical service companies, owned by CNPC, with global multi-client and contract seismic operations. It is both a competitor and a key acquisition partner for GeoPartners (e.g., BGP Prospector vessel on Sierra Leone 3D).
• CGG: CGG is a global geoscience company offering multi-client data, seismic acquisition, and subsurface imaging, with significant multi-client activity in Africa and the North Sea. CGG is a direct competitor to GeoPartners in multi-client surveys and a co-marketing partner on the UK Lodestone Q44 3D survey.
• TGS: TGS is the largest multi-client geophysical and geological data library company globally, with a multi-billion-dollar library of 2D/3D seismic and well data. It is a direct competitor in multi-client seismic surveys in Africa and a key co-marketing partner to GeoPartners on the JAAN 3D and Senegal Deepwater 3D projects.
• PGS: PGS is a leading marine geophysical company operating one of the largest multi-client seismic data libraries and a global fleet of acquisition vessels. It competes directly with GeoPartners in multi-client 3D surveys offshore Africa and is also a co-marketing partner on the JAAN 3D and NWAAM17 surveys.

Emerging players

• DownUnder GeoSolutions (DUG): DUG is a geoscience company specializing in high-end seismic processing and multi-client projects, with strong activity offshore Northwest Europe and growing presence in Africa. It is a processing partner to GeoPartners on SNS Regional Deep Imaging 2D and AGC Central 3D, and a partial competitor in multi-client services.
• Beagle Geoscience: Beagle Geoscience is a small specialist consultancy providing G&G interpretation, prospect generation, and licensing round support, with a strong Africa focus. It is both a strategic interpretation partner to GeoPartners and a partial competitor for technical advisory mandates from NOCs and smaller E&P companies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/geopartners-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Geopartners