Seismic Survey Global Market Report 2025

A seismic survey is a geophysical exploration method that aims to measure the earth's characteristics by utilizing physical principles such as electric, magnetic, thermal, gravitational, and elastic theories. It relies on the concept of elasticity and seeks to determine the elastic properties of materials by observing their reactions to seismic (elastic) waves, which are disturbances in elasticity.

The main types of seismic surveys include reflection, refraction, and surface waves. Reflection involves the process of a spreading wave (light or sound) bouncing back off a surface. Seismic survey services encompass data interpretation, data processing, and data acquisition. These surveys can be conducted both offshore and onshore, utilizing various technologies such as 2D imaging, 3D imaging, and 4D imaging. They find applications in diverse fields including oil and gas exploration, geological studies, mining, and other related areas.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a notable impact on the services sector, particularly in business services, IT, and professional consulting. The increased costs of imported technology, office equipment, and critical digital infrastructure are driving up operating expenses for service providers, compelling them to either pass these costs on to clients or absorb the financial strain themselves. Outsourcing firms and IT service providers are grappling with higher hardware costs and supply chain delays, which are disrupting project timelines and squeezing profitability. Furthermore, retaliatory tariffs have weakened demand for U.S.-based professional services in key global markets, slowing export-driven revenues. To navigate these challenges, the sector must focus on accelerating digital transformation, optimizing costs, and strengthening domestic client relationships to sustain growth and remain competitive in an increasingly uncertain trade environment.

The seismic survey market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides seismic survey market statistics, including seismic survey industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a seismic survey market share, detailed seismic survey market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the seismic survey industry. This seismic survey market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The seismic survey market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $9.84 billion in 2024 to $10.35 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased demand for efficient exploration techniques, increased adoption in the oil and gas sector, increased use in the mining industry, growth in the geological exploration industries, infrastructure investments.

The seismic survey market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.01 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing focus on energy efficiency, growing environmental concerns, depleting reserves and exploration needs, increasing demand for renewable energy, increased adoption of automated and unmanned survey vehicles. Major trends in the forecast period include technological breakthroughs in oil and gas extraction, advancement in seismic technologies, development of eco-friendly seismic survey technologies and equipment, strategic partnerships, advanced solution launches.

The forecast of 5.9% growth over the next five years remains unchanged from the previous projection for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. The U.S. may face higher exploration costs as geophone arrays, seismic data acquisition software, and offshore survey equipment sourced from Norway and the UK grow more expensive for energy and infrastructure projects. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The seismic survey market is anticipated to experience growth due to the increasing demand for oil and gas. Oil and gas, essential natural resources utilized for energy and fuel, rely significantly on seismic surveys for exploration. This technique involves imaging the earth's subsurface by capturing seismic wave vibrations, enabling the monitoring of oil and gas fields and optimizing production. In July 2023, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts a rise in U.S. crude oil production to 12.6 million barrels per day (b/d), surpassing the 2022 record of 11.89 million b/d. Additionally, the International Energy Agency reported that the U.S. consumed 86.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day in 2022, the highest annual consumption compared to the previous year, emphasizing the seismic survey market's growth driven by the escalating need for oil and gas.

The rising demand for energy is significantly driving the growth of the seismic survey market. Energy refers to power that is used or can be converted into work. Seismic surveys are the primary method for identifying and characterizing energy resource reservoirs, particularly offshore. For example, in June 2023, the Energy Information Administration, a US government agency, reported that renewable energy consumption rose to 13.2 quads in 2022, up from 12.1 quads in 2021 in the United States. Therefore, the growing demand for energy will continue to propel the seismic survey market forward.

Major companies in the seismic survey market are concentrating on developing innovations, such as advanced processing techniques, to improve imaging quality and provide detailed insights into subsurface structures. Advanced processing techniques refer to sophisticated methods employed across various industries to enhance efficiency, quality, and precision in production processes. For instance, in July 2024, TGS, a US-based advanced data and intelligence company, launched a new seismic survey in the Seram Basin, Indonesia, aiming to acquire over 1,800 kilometers of 2D seismic data. This survey will utilize advanced processing techniques like PSTM, PSDM, and FWI to enhance subsurface imaging. The project focuses on imaging beneath shallow carbonates in the Seram thrust belt, indicating active petroleum systems. This marks the fifth seismic survey in the region for the year.

Prominent entities in the seismic survey market are actively concentrating on the development of 3D seismic technology to deliver dependable services to their clientele. Recognized as a potent tool, 3D seismic technology is employed to generate high-resolution, three-dimensional depictions of the Earth's subsurface. For instance, in December 2023, Ukrnafta, a Ukraine-based natural gas company, initiated 3D seismic surveys in the western regions of Ukraine. Marking the first utilization of a wireless data logging system for 3D seismic surveys in the country, Ukrnafta employs seismic waves generated underground by powerful vibrator machines above ground. The waves are reflected by rocks with specific parameters, and data is collected on the surface through an extensive network of specialized seismic sensors known as geophones. The project involves the deployment of 20,000 receiver sensors, three seismic vibrators, and explosive sources to cover an 80 square meter area.

In June 2022, Ocean Floor Geophysics Inc., a Canadian firm specializing in seismic surveys, completed the acquisition of NCS SubSea Inc. for an undisclosed sum. This strategic move by Ocean Floor Geophysics Inc. aims to secure access to P-Cable technology, fortify its position in the seismic data acquisition market, and expand its geographical footprint. NCS SubSea Inc., based in the United States, is recognized for providing ultrahigh resolution (UHR) 2D/3D/4D marine seismic survey and navigation support services.

Major companies operating in the seismic survey market include China National Petroleum Corporation, Schlumberger Limited (SLB) Limited, Fugro N.V., CGG SA, Petroleum Geo-Services ASA, Terra Seis Group, TGS Nopec Geophysical ASA, Shearwater Geoservices Limited, Global Geophysical Services Inc., SAExploration Inc., Spectrum ASA, ION Geophysical Corporation, Fairfield Industries Incorporated, Geospace Technologies Corp., Katalyst Data Management LLC, Geokinetics Inc., Dawson Geophysical Co., Terrex Seismic, NodalSeismic LLC, TerraSond Limited, SeaBird Exploration Plc., Pulse Seismic Inc., Axxis Geo Solutions ASA, Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey Inc., Dolphin Geophysical AS, EON Geosciences Inc., Explor, Lone Star Land Surveying and Mapping, New Resolution Geophysics (NRG), Agile Seismic LLC.

North America was the largest region in the seismic survey market in 2024. The regions covered in the seismic survey market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the seismic survey market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The seismic survey market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as borehole seismic surveys, multi-client acquisition surveys, seismic consulting, interpretation, seismic data visualization, and seismic data processing. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The seismic survey market also includes sales of recording systems, data interpretation tools, seismic sensors, and the seismic acquisition system. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Seismic Survey Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses on seismic survey market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for seismic survey ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The seismic survey market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:

The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.

• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Reflection; Refraction; Surface-Wave
• 2) By Service Type: Data Interpretation; Data Processing; Data Acquisition
• 3) By Deployment: Offshore; Onshore
• 4) By Technology: 2D Imaging; 3D Imaging; 4D Imaging
• 5) By Application: Oil And Gas; Geological Exploration; Mining; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Reflection: 2D Reflection Surveys; 3D Reflection Surveys; Pre-Stack And Post-Stack Analysis
• 2) By Refraction: Seismic Refraction Surveys; Tomography Techniques; Layered Models And Analysis
• 3) By Surface-Wave: Rayleigh Wave Analysis; Love Wave Analysis; Multi-Channel Analysis Of Surface Waves
• Companies Mentioned:China National Petroleum Corporation; Schlumberger Limited (SLB) Limited; Fugro N.V.; CGG SA; Petroleum Geo-Services ASA; Terra Seis Group; TGS Nopec Geophysical ASA; Shearwater Geoservices Limited; Global Geophysical Services Inc.; SAExploration Inc.; Spectrum ASA; ION Geophysical Corporation; Fairfield Industries Incorporated; Geospace Technologies Corp.; Katalyst Data Management LLC; Geokinetics Inc.; Dawson Geophysical Co.; Terrex Seismic; NodalSeismic LLC; TerraSond Limited; SeaBird Exploration Plc.; Pulse Seismic Inc.; Axxis Geo Solutions ASA; Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey Inc.; Dolphin Geophysical AS; EON Geosciences Inc.; Explor; Lone Star Land Surveying and Mapping; New Resolution Geophysics (NRG); Agile Seismic LLC.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.