TGS Renaissance Seismic Program Grows With 2009 Acquisition Plan

ASKER, NORWAY--(Marketwire - May 12, 2009) - The seventh season of the TGS Renaissance 2D seismic program in partnership with Fugro AS has commenced. This regional grid of long offset and long record seismic data has been expanding since 2003 and is located in the North Sea, the Mid-Norway and the Barents Seas.

The 2009 seismic acquisition plan includes 40,000 kilometers of data that will be located in all three of the survey areas. A minimum of five seismic vessels will be used to acquire the survey and the processed data will be available to industry at the end of 2009. Upon completion of the 2009 acquisition plan, the TGS data library will contain a total of approximately 220,000 kilometers of regional Renaissance data.

"We are very pleased with the progress and industry acceptance of the Renaissance Program," said Kjell Trommestad, VP and General Manager, EU/RU for TGS. Kjell continued, "The program was designed to enhance the subsurface image deeper in the earth and has proven valuable to our customer's exploration efforts. The continued interest and support of these underwriters has allowed the program to grow each year and we are already working on plans for the 2010 season."

The 2009 acquisition program is supported by industry funding.

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) is a principal resource for global geoscientific data products and services in the E&P industry. TGS specializes in the design, acquisition and processing of multi-client seismic surveys worldwide and delivers advanced high performance seismic imaging and software solutions. The Company also provides the world's largest online well-log database, well data management services, multi-client interpretive products and subsurface consulting services to industry. The suite of integrated exploration data products available from TGS is distinctive and unmatched. The Company philosophy is to create unique high-quality data collected in the right place at the right time.

All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove accurate. These factors include TGS' reliance on a cyclical industry and principal customers, TGS' ability to continue to expand markets for licensing of data, and TGS' ability to acquire and process data product at costs commensurate with profitability. Actual results may differ materially from those expected or projected in the forward-looking statements. TGS undertakes no responsibility or obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements for any reason.

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSLO: TGS).

Contact Information: For more information, contact: Kjell Trommestad VP and General Director EU/RU Tel: +47 66 76 99 61 email: Arne Helland Chief Financial Officer Tel: +47 66 76 99 31/+47 91 88 78 29 email: