Technology creates role for small seismic crews

Journal Article · Mon Sep 27 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:6024654

Moriarty, B J ^[1]

---

1. DigiTec Seismic Corp., Arvada, CO (United States). Kiwi American Energy Inc.

While the oil and gas industry focuses on large, complex 3D seismic surveys around the world, other, more-quiet changes are taking place. A new breed of small, high-tech seismic crew is emerging as the latest generation of seismic equipment becomes available. Light, economical equipment formerly used for shallow engineering purposes now can produce high-quality data at depths required for oil and gas exploration. Improvements in acquisition technology and equipment reduce costs of seismic surveys, providing new and expanded opportunities in exploration. These improvements include powerful, light recording systems; advanced seismic processing methods; portable processing and analysis on powerful notebook computers; and light, environmentally safe seismic sources. The growing ability of small crews and compact equipment to acquire high-quality data provides operators the option of shooting surveys in especially sensitive areas or of shooting tailor-made surveys in areas of high interest. Niche surveys of this type are especially useful in mature producing areas, such as the U.S. The paper describes the challenges, the dynamic ranges that must be handled (recording weak signals in the presence of strong ones), seismic equipment, and exploration opportunities.

• OSTI ID: 6024654
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Vol. 91:39; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
58 GEOSCIENCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
DATA ANALYSIS
DEPTH
EXPLORATION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
WELL LOGGING EQUIPMENT
DIMENSIONS
EQUIPMENT
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
MINERAL RESOURCES
RESOURCES
SURVEYS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
030200 - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
580000 - Geosciences