Norway's GC Rieber Shipping is looking to raise almost $30m in equity to finance Shearwater GeoServices' takeover of US giant Schlumberger's seismic assets and operations, including its 12-ship fleet.

Shearwater, a 50-50 joint venture between GC Rieber and Norwegian tanker owner Rasmussengruppen, in August entered into a deal to buy WesternGeco for an undisclosed price.

GC Rieber Shipping's board of directors today proposed issuing 28.9