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1930s |
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1931 |
Compagnie Générale de Géophysique (CGG) is founded. Marcel Champin becomes Chairman. |
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1932 |
First CGG survey in West Africa. |
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1940s |
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1947 |
First seismic surveys in the Aquitaine basin [France]. |
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1949 |
French crews survey the Gabon forest on behalf of SPAEF. |
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1950s |
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1953 |
CGG becomes a limited liability company. Discovery of reserves at Parentis, France. |
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1954 |
CGG buys its first IBM 604 computer and acquires an MT4 analogue computing center (for processing field data). |
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1956 |
SMG is created as an offshoot of the electronics department of CGG. |
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1958 |
Dual-vessel seismic exploration. |
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1960s |
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1960 |
CGG uses "multiple coverage" technology to analyze traces, and develops "Dropter", the first non-explosive seismic source technique. |
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1962 |
SMG is renamed Sercel and introduces the AS 626 (24-trace transistor amplifier). |
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1963 |
Introduction of "deconvolution" in data processing. |
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1964 |
Early days of single-vessel seismic exploration. |
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1965 |
Digital Consultants Inc. is founded in Houston by six engineers and geophysicists who share the vision of bringing evolving digital computing technology to the geophysical industry - a new concept. The Company carries out its first data interpretation job in the North Sea. |
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1966 |
CGG opens first seismic data processing center in Massy, France. Digital Consultants install state-of-the-art SDS-9300 computer that allowed multi-trace, multi-task programming without tape output. First marine project - QC work onboard two wooden-hulled marine seismic vessels in the North Sea, where WWII mines were still drifting! |
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1967 |
CGG installs EMR computers. Digital Consultants deploys its first land seismic crew. |
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1968 |
In Calgary, CGG opens first data processing center outside France. Sercel launches the SN 328 (48-trace digital amplifier). |
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1969 |
CGG develops a "migration" processing algorithm. Digital Consultants reincorporates as Digicon Inc. and goes public on the American Stock Exchange. |
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1970s |
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1970 |
Now with approximately 300 employees worldwide, Digicon opens its first overseas data processing center in Singapore. |
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1971 |
CGG introduces 3D seismic exploration with "wide-line profiling" and is the first contractor to tow three parallel streamers. Digicon opens second overseas data processing center in East Grinstead, U.K. |
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1974 |
In Calgary, Rafael B. Cruz & Associates Ltd. is purchased by David B. Robson and renamed Veritas, the Latin word meaning "truth". |
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1976 |
CGG opens data processing centers in London, UK, and Denver, USA. |
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1977 |
CGG opens data processing center in Houston, USA. |
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1978 |
Veritas purchases FPS (Floating Point Systems) CPUs to replace Array Processors, achieving substantial increase in processing speed. CGG performs first 3D survey in the North Sea. |
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1979 |
Digicon deploys the geophysical industry's first-ever digital marine seismic streamer - the DSS-240. Digicon becomes the first geophysical company to offer commercial depth migration. |
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1980s |
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1980 |
Digicon develops and markets ‘DISCO’ seismic data processing software running on DEC's VAX 11/780 computer system. |
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1981 |
CGG listed on Paris Stock Exchange and introduces combo crews (combined vibroseismic-explosive crews). Digicon employee John Sherwood invents DMO (Dip Move Out) data processing technique. |
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1982 |
Veritas processes the industry's first-ever 3D seismic survey in Canada. |
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1983 |
Digicon opens new data processing center in Brisbane, Australia - a significant expansion into new Asia Pacific markets. |
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1984 |
In Massy, CGG installs the largest computer of the time, the Cray 1S. |
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1987 |
Digicon records its first non-exclusive 3D marine data library program (in Mobile Bay, Gulf of Mexico). Hampson-Russell Software is founded in Calgary, Canada. |
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1988 |
Digicon launches Massively Parallel Processing (MPP) initiative, including development of new SeismicTANGO data processing system to replace DISCO. |
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1990s |
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1990 |
Veritas pioneers the routine use of helicopters for land seismic data acquisition, increasing productivity threefold while reducing impact on the environment. |
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1992 |
Veritas launches 'SAGE' data processing system, probably the most advanced production processing system available at this time. |
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1993 |
CGG launches 3D seismic vessel ‘Harmattan’, able to tow five streamers. Veritas, now employing about 450 staff, goes public on the Toronto Stock Exchange. |
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1994 |
CGG carries out first 4D seismic surveys. Digicon becomes the first geophysical company to offer pre-stack time migration (3D MOVES). |
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1996 |
Digicon and Veritas combine to form Veritas DGC Inc. which immediately upgrades its asset base, installing new HP and SUN computer systems and an NEC SX-4 supercomputer to enhance data processing capabilities. |
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1997 |
CGG is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Veritas DGC acquires Rees Geophysical (a land seismic acquisition company) in Oman. |
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1998 |
CGG carries out offshore surveys in the Gulf of Mexico. Veritas DGC vessel, the SR/V Veritas Viking, sets record by towing the industry's first 12,000-meter streamer. Veritas DGC installs industry-first, new-generation Data Visualization Center in Houston, USA. |
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1999 |
Robert Brunck becomes Chairman and CEO of CGG. Sercel acquires Syntron, market leader in marine geophysical equipment. Veritas DGC acquires Time Seismic Exchange, a growing land seismic data library company in Canada, and Guardian Data Systems, a data archiving and transcription company based in Australia. |
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2000s |
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2000 |
Veritas opens new headquarters building in Houston, U.S.A. and installs three more Data Visualization Centers in Crawley, U.K., Calgary, Canada, and Perth, Australia. |
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2001 |
CGG purchases two seismic survey vessels and multi-client data from Aker Maritime. |
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2002 |
CGG’s Kuala Lumpur data processing center becomes one of the Company’s three main regional hubs, after London and Houston. |
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2003 |
Sercel acquires Sodera, one of the main suppliers of airguns. |
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2004 |
CGG launches WaveVista, wave equation depth imaging software. Sercel buys Thales Underwater Systems, Orca Instrumentation and Createch Industrie. David B. Robson retires from Veritas DGC; Thierry Pilenko takes over as Chairman and CEO. |
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2005 |
Veritas DGC celebrates its 40th anniversary and acquires Hampson-Russell seismic interpretation software group. Veritas DGC builds new Global Processing Facility (powered by 64-bit AMD Opteron™ dual-core processors) in Houston, doubling its seismic data processing power. CGG launches Eye-D reservoir solutions service, and acquires Exploration Resources, increasing its fleet to 13 vessels. |
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2006 |
CGG celebrates its 75th anniversary. CGG and Veritas DGC enter into a definitive merger agreement. |
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2007 |
CGG and Veritas combine to create CGGVeritas, a leading global geophysical services and equipment company. |
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2008 |
Record year, with net income at $503M and all financial objectives achieved. |
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2009 |
CGGVeritas acquires Wavefield Inseis, a Norwegian pure-play seismic company. |
