The Norwegian Hydrographic Service (NHS) has awarded Fugro OSAE a $4.95-million hydrographic survey contract. This will cover more than 13,200 sq km (5,096 sq mi) in the Barents and Norwegian seas. There is also an option to extend the survey area by two-thirds.

The Barents Sea area is near the Russian maritime border, in water depths of 150-250 m (492-820 ft). In the Norwegian Sea the survey area is around 100 mi (161 km) offshore in water depths of 400-800 m (1,312-2,624 ft).

Both sections are adjacent to areas that Fugro surveyed during 2011-2013. The contractor will process the data processing onboard the survey vessel and at its center in Bremen.

NHS commissioned the survey for MAREANO, a Norwegian program designed to improve knowledge of seabed conditions and biodiversity along the northern Norwegian coast.

The goal is to build a knowledge base for resource management of oil and gas and fishing in the areas.