Norway's PGS says its fleet 89 pct employed in Q3

OSLO, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Norwegian seismic surveyor Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (PGS) (PGS.OL: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday that utilisation of its fleet of seismic vessels was 89 percent in the third quarter compared to 83 percent a year earlier.

The fleet utilisation rate was up from 88 percent in the second quarter, said PGS, which is a supplier of seismic surveys to the oil and gas industry.

Second-quarter financial results are due on Oct. 24.

PGS routinely provides information about its fleet utilisation around the end of each quarter.

PGS said Ramform Challenger and Ramform Valiant will be at yard for 10-year classing and upgrades in fourth quarter.

"The yard stays will last approximately 1 and 1.5 months, respectively (including steaming)," the company said in a statement.

PGS said that 25 percent of its fleet capacity was engaged in multi-client seismic surveys in the third quarter, down from 33 percent a year earlier, while contract seismic work accounted for 64 percent of capacity, up from 50 percent a year earlier.