France’s CGG has opened up a subsurface imaging centre in Yangon in anticipation of growth in Myanmar’s oil and gas exploration sector.

CGG opened the centre to give its international and local upstream companies in Myanmar onsite access to its imaging technology and expertise.

It will also serve as a base from which the company will expand its operations in the area.

The centre is equipped with the state-of-the-art hardware and seismic processing software, while a network will link it to the company’s Singapore hub.

The company sees a substantial opportunity for growth in the country, according to CGG executive Sophie Zurquiyah.

“With the Myanmar government’s recent award of 16 onshore and 20 offshore blocks to international and local oil and gas companies, we foresee a quickening in the pace of exploration activity over the next 18 months,” she said.

“We intend to build on our new centre’s strong local presence to help unlock the potential of this emerging market.”