Basic Geophysics, Seismic Fundamentals and 3D Seismic Exploration

by R. Malcolm Lansley

Duration: Two to five days (available for in-house training only)

Intended Audience: Intermediate and advanced levels

Prerequisites (Knowledge/Experience/Education Required): The course is designed for anyone who already has a good understanding of the fundamentals of seismic acquisition (spatial sampling, reflection theory, seismic sources, etc.) and wishes to understand many of the recent changes in 3D acquisition.

Summary:
The course reviews current techniques of 3D seismic data acquisition and processing of land, marine, and ocean-bottom cable surveys. Workshop exercises are utilized to reinforce the elements of data acquisition design, and case histories are used wherever feasible to demonstrate the effectiveness of different techniques. Survey design considerations are related to data processing issues to achieve an integrated data acquisition/processing system.

Course Outline:

  • Why 3D?
  • 3D survey design considerations
  • Survey parameter definition
  • Marine navigation and cable positioning considerations
  • Marine acquisition techniques
  • Land 3D acquisition techniques
  • Sea-floor operations (OBC and Node acquisition)
  • 3D data basic preprocessing, imaging (with DMO and post-stack migration, PSTM, PSDM) is not included as this is a course in itself
  • Case histories

Geophysicists and geologists who are already familiar with 2D seismic exploration fundamentals will find this course useful to expand that knowledge to 3D. Geophysicists specialized in either data acquisition, data processing, or interpretation, and who wish to broaden their understanding of the other disciplines, will also benefit from the course. Management personnel who are required to make decisions concerning whether to shoot 3D, or which particular method will be the most effective in a given geologic situation, should also attend.

With advance notice, this course can be tailored to meet specific requests for changes in content. Additional segments may be added to address basic geophysics and seismic fundamentals. It can be adapted to give greater emphasis to the different acquisition environments (land, streamer marine, and/or sea-floor recording.) Course length also is adjustable to permit more time for practical and survey planning exercises.

Instructor Biography:
R. Malcolm Lansley