An integrated strategy: constrained tomography inversion of multi-type data for near surface velocity model building

Liansheng Liu, Lidong Gao and Zhiyu Zhang

…After analyzing the theory assumptions and the pros and cons of three methods in near surface model building, which have been widely used in data processing, the three of us all agree that an “Integrated Strategy”, based on constrained first arrival tomography inversion, should be introduced as described in this…

CRS azimuth gathers and CRS shot gathers for improved fault imaging in Alpine 3D seismic data

Henning Trappe, Eliakim Schuenemann, Juergen Pruessmann, Sonja Suckro, Hans-Gert Linzer, Martin Schachinger

…In a case study from the Austrian Alps, the capability of Common-Reflection-Surface processing (CRS) for comprehensive fault imaging and analysis is demonstrated. CRS processing is used to generally improve the signal-to-noise ratio and to regularize the dataset in different domains. We show an offset-azimuth regularization to generate well populated gathers…

Introduction to April Technical Articles

Amanda Knowles

…Because we had a surplus of fantastic papers for last month’s Value of Integrated Geophysics (VIG) Edition, the April RECORDER carries a continuation of similarly themed articles. Rebecca Daniels and Brian Schulte of Talisman wrote our first article "Geophysical Methods for Mapping a Shallow, Unconsolidated Gas Sand". In this paper,…

Geophysical Methods for Mapping a Shallow Unconsolidated Gas Sand

Rebecca Daniels and Brian Schulte

…In southwest Saskatchewan Talisman Energy holds the surface to basement rights in several sections of land over an older Devonian Birdbear field. Producers in this area have re-visited this field, drilling for heavy oil in the thin, unconsolidated McLaren sands draped over Devonian highs. These new wells utilize Cold Heavy…

Reliable Geophysics

Marian C. Hanna and Doug Uffen

…Geophysics rocks! If you are a geophysicist and you’re reading, this you know what geophysics can offer, but does your team know that too? It is fair to say that over the past ten (10) years, the E&P industry has seen a step increase in seismic acquisition and processing, especially…

Bert Bril

An Interview with Bert Bril

…Q&A: Bert, you address two important points in your article. The first one has to do with the fact that we as geophysicists need to embark on a lifetime of learning, to stay abreast of the advancements in geophysics. The second one has to do with the behavioral skills of…

Maitri Erwin

An Interview with Maitri Erwin

…Q&A: Maitri, you suggest a two-fold approach for maximizing project execution efficiency that entails geoscience-focused technological innovation, and a philosophy of interdisciplinary collaboration and communication. Could you elaborate on the versatile innovations that you are suggesting, as well as the model you have in mind for interdisciplinary cooperation? “Interdisciplinary” means…

Chris Jackson

An Interview with Chris Jackson

…Q&A: Your article raises a good question, as to who should interpret seismic data, a geophysicist or a geologist. After giving reasons why the former or the latter would be better, you end your article by saying the person with the best understanding of the complex structure and stratigraphy should…

Hierarchical Seismic Imaging: A Multiscale Approach

Jean Virieux

…Different challenges of resources discovery and management, better mitigation of natural hazards, and acute understanding of the earth’s system require high-resolution imaging of the earth in more complex regions at various scales. Dense multicomponent surveys with a broad range of frequencies have been deployed by the industrial and academic communities…

Introduction To March Focus: Value of Integrated Geophysics

Amanda Knowles

…For years I have lived my life by the mantra, ‘When you don’t know what to do, you know what to do: research!’ There is great comfort knowing that you can turn to history or more knowledgeable, experienced people to provide facts and guide you. This tactic can be applied…

Overview of VIG Columns in RECORDER: May 2013 – March 2014

George Fairs

…As part of the VIG (Value of Integrated Geophysics) initiative, a series of articles and columns were published in the RECORDER from May 2013 until May 2014 inclusive. The purpose was to advance the use of geophysics for business purposes by educating and inspiring our readership. The articles and columns…

Articulating the time, cost, and benefits of a seismic processing project

Lee Hunt

…The net value of seismic is measured in various ways, but is usually reduced to a calculation of what additional economic benefit we expect to gain from the seismic information, weighed against the cost of the seismic information itself. The costs of the seismic are typically assumed to be quite…

Rock Physics Driven Seismic Data Processing for the Athabasca Oil Sands, Northeastern Alberta

David Gray, Seann Day and Scott Schapper

…Canada has the third largest oil reserves of any country in the world. The bulk of the economically recoverable oil reserves is bitumen found in Alberta; Alberta has 26.7 Gm3 of remaining crude bitumen reserves (Alberta Oil Sands Industry Quarterly Update, Summer 2013). The Athabasca Oil Sands reservoirs of Northeastern…

VOQC: Value Oriented Quality Control in Seismic Processing

Lee Hunt, Peter Cary, Dan Tican, Mike Perz, Ritesh Kumar Sharma, Nirupama Nagarajappa, Xinxiang Li, and Satinder Chopra

…We illustrate the importance of value orientation during the quality control efforts taken while performing seismic processing, and name our approach VOQC, or value oriented quality control. Quality control tests are run frequently during seismic processing. Our VOQC approach does not eliminate or act as substitution for current quality control…

Value In Integrated Geophysics Where Do We Go From Here?

John L.J. Duhault

…You have now read or scanned through several articles that embrace the concept of adding value by illustrating how one can improve the return on capital for their own oil and gas properties. Where is the VIG going for 2015 and beyond? We will be looking for a wide range…

President’s Message

…This is my last column as president of the CSEG, since Rachel Newrick will assume this position at the AGM on March 30. I know my commitment to the Society is not complete for another year, but I will be finished with the heaviest of my responsibilities. This is my…

Executive Message

…Having had the pleasure of working with many of you over the years on the various committees that fall under the office of Educational Services, I had thought I knew what to expect in the role, however the selfless volunteerism of the CSEG membership has, yet again, surprised me with…

CAGC Column

…Hunker down and good luck to all of us. Let’s hope things turn around by the fall. Already cheap oil has meant that gasoline usage is on the rise. As well the USA shale producers are slowing down drilling quickly. For all of us in the industry we need the…

Volunteer Spotlight

…CSEG Past Presidents Every December, the Past Presidents of the CSEG gather for a luncheon providing an opportunity for the current President, Vice-President and Foundation Chair to give an update on CSEG operations and also to learn from those who have walked in the same shoes. Later in the day,…

Science Break: Sociopathy

…If life was a sport, sociopaths / psychopaths would be the players repeatedly cheating. In real life they flagrantly flout fundamental human social rules, such as ‘Do unto others as you would do unto yourself,’ and ‘Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.’ If a sociopath had written these rules…