LONDON--(Marketwire - May 16, 2012) - TGS has entered into new data release agreements with the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). These agreements permit TGS to release new and historical data for all onshore and offshore wells in the UK. The well data, once captured and quality controlled, will be available online from TGS.

TGS has been a data release agent for the DECC since 2006, but the previous agreement was limited to exploration and appraisal wells in the offshore UK. In 2012, the new agreement was expanded to include offshore development wells and data from UK onshore wells drilled under petroleum licenses issued by the DECC. For wells drilled before petroleum licensing began in the 1960s, TGS secured a reseller agreement with the BGS to gain access to its collection of historical well and borehole data.

"We are pleased to achieve these two major milestones in regards to our UK onshore well data, especially for those companies looking for unconventional oil and gas opportunities within the UK," commented John Adamick, Senior Vice President of Geological Products and Services at TGS.

TGS' data coverage for UK onshore now includes 1,200 DECC wells and access to approximately 2.5 million borehole records held by the BGS. Offshore UK coverage consists of 10,000 wells that include 4,300 exploration and appraisal wells. TGS' global well data library of 6.6 million well logs from 32 countries is available online via LOG-LINE Plus!®

Company summary

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) provides multi-client geoscience data and services to oil and gas Exploration and Production companies around the globe. TGS' geophysical and geological data products include multi-client seismic libraries, permanent reservoir monitoring, magnetic and gravity data, the industry's largest global database of digital well logs and regional interpretive products. TGS also provides high-end depth imaging services to help resolve complex seismic imaging problems. For more information visit TGS online at [ www.tgs.com ].

Forward-looking statements and contact information

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 products 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).