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Practical Applications of Time-lapse Seismic Data David H. Johnston Time-lapse (4D) seismic technology is a key enabler for improved hydrocarbon recovery and more cost-effective field operations. Practical Applications of Time-lapse Seismic Data (SEG Distinguished Instructor Series No. 16) shows how 4D seismic data are used for reservoir surveillance, how they provide valuable insight on dynamic reservoir properties such as fluid saturation, pressure, and temperature, and how they add value to reservoir management. The material, based on the 2013 SEG Distinguished Instructor Short Course, includes discussions of reservoir-engineering concepts and rock physics critical to the understanding of 4D data, along with topics in 4D seismic acquisition and processing. A primary focus of the book is interpretation and data integration. Case-study examples are used to demonstrate key concepts and are drawn on to demonstrate the range of interpretation methods currently employed by industry and the diversity of geologic settings and production scenarios in which 4D is making a difference. Time-lapse seismic interpretation is inherently integrative, drawing on geophysical, geologic, and reservoir-engineering data and concepts. As a result, this book should be of interest to individuals from all subsurface disciplines.
Print version: SEG Members US$45, List US$58 E-book version: SEG Members US$38, List US$49, Students US$30 Table of Contents (487kb PDF)

Fundamentals of Gravity Exploration By Thomas R. LaFehr and Misac N. Nabighian Fundamentals of Gravity Exploration (Geophysical Monograph Series No. 17) covers a full range of gravity-exploration topics, including first principles, field instrumentation and operations, rock densities and density contrasts, data reduction, methods of interpretation, and geologic examples. The subject matter includes inversion and an appendix on the Fourier transform. This book will help students to efficiently gain knowledge and appreciation for the method, and it will provide experienced earth scientists with a valuable addition to their exploration libraries, both for reference and understanding of this important method.
Print version: SEG Members US$69, List US$89 E-book version: SEG Members US$59, List US$76, Students US$47 Table of Contents (270kb PDF)

3D Seismic Survey Design, second edition By Gijs J. O. Vermeer Since the first edition of 3D Seismic Survey Design appeared in 2002, seismic data acquisition has seen many changes, most of which have been captured in this second edition. This book by Gijs Vermeer describes in detail the properties of 3D acquisition geometries and shows how these properties naturally lead to the 3D symmetric sampling approach to 3D survey design. Many examples from the literature are used to illustrate good and less good choices of acquisition parameters. The link between survey parameters and noise suppression as well as imaging is an intrinsic part of the contents. This book should be of great interest to the designer of 3D seismic surveys, but also to every geophysicist who uses 3D seismic data to retrieve accurate information on the properties of the subsurface.
Print version: SEG Members US$119, List US$148 E-book version: SEG Members US$101, List US$126, Students US$81 Table of Contents (47kb PDF)

Numerical Modeling of Seismic Wave Propagation: Gridded Two-way Wave-equation Methods Edited by Johan O. A. Robertsson, Joakim O. Blanch, Kurt Nihei, and Jeroen Tromp Modeling of seismic wave propagation is a core component in almost every aspect of exploration seismology, ranging from survey design methods to imaging and inversion algorithms. The last and only time SEG published a reprint volume on numerical modeling was in 1990. Since then, the last two decades has seen a step change in the application and use of "full wave equation" modeling methods enabled by the tremendous increase in available computational power. Full waveform inversion, reverse time migration and 3D elastic finite-difference synthetic data generation are examples of modeling applications that are currently having a fundamental impact on our business. In Numerical Modeling of Seismic Wave Propagation: Gridded Two-way Wave-equation Methods, readers will find many of the well-known and referenced papers from the exploration seismic community as well as some of the key papers that have impacted other fields of seismology. Because the modeling literature is huge, we have limited the scope of the reprint volume to papers over the last two decades on modeling methods based on the full wave equation. The reprint volume will be of particular interest to researchers and practitioners interested in modeling methods and their applications.
Print version: SEG Members US$99, List US$129 E-book version: SEG Members US$84, List US$110, Students US$67 Table of Contents (67kb PDF)

Seismic Signatures and Analysis of Reflection Data in Anisotropic Media, third edition By Ilya Tsvankin This is a new edition of Ilya Tsvankin's reference volume on seismic anisotropy and application of anisotropic models in reflection seismology. Seismic Signatures and Analysis of Reflection Data in Anisotropic Media, Geophysical References Series No. 19, provides essential background information about anisotropic wave propagation, introduces efficient notation for transversely isotropic (TI) and orthorhombic media, and identifies the key anisotropy parameters for imaging and amplitude analysis. To gain insight into the influence of anisotropy on a wide range of seismic signatures, exact solutions are simplified in the weak-anisotropy approximation. Particular attention is given to moveout analysis and P-wave time-domain processing for transverse isotropy with a vertical (VTI) and tilted (TTI) symmetry axis. Description of the amplitude-variation-with-offset (AVO) response of P- and S-waves in TI media shows that anisotropy may cause serious distortions in both the reflection coefficient and geometrical-spreading factor. The far-reaching benefits of anisotropic processing methods are demonstrated on synthetic examples and field data.
Print version: SEG Members US$79, List US$99 E-book version: SEG Members US$67, List US$84, Students US$53 Table of Contents (44kb PDF)

Elements of Seismic Dispersion: A Somewhat Practical Guide to Frequency-dependent Phenomena By Christopher L. Liner Elements of Seismic Dispersion: A Somewhat Practical Guide to Frequency-dependent Phenomena (SEG Distinguished Instructor Series No. 15) covers selected effects encountered in the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of reflection-seismic data. The material, based on the 2012 SEG Distinguished Instructor Short Course, shows how those phenomena arise, how they can be characterized, and the important information they contain. The text shows how spectral decomposition and time-frequency methods have led to improved understanding and use of nonlinear harmonics, near-surface guided waves, layer-induced anisotropy, velocity dispersion and attenuation, interference, and Biot reflection. Accessible discussion is augmented by examples, figures, and references to primary literature for further study. This book will interest technical managers and those who work in acquisition, processing, and interpretation of seismic data.
Print version: SEG Members US$45, List US$58 E-book version: SEG Members US$38, List US$49, Student US$30 Table of Contents (509kb PDF)

First Steps in Seismic Interpretation By Donald A. Herron In his classic text Seismic Prospecting for Oil, C. Hewitt Dix remarked that the correlation of one reflection record with another, that is, the interpretation of seismic data, is a procedure that "can hardly be described in words." First Steps in Seismic Interpretation (Geophysical Monograph Series No. 16) is a book about fundamental concepts and practices of seismic interpretation that attempts to achieve such a description. Intended for beginning interpreters, this book approaches interpretation via synthesis of concepts and practical applications rather than through formal treatment of basic physics and geology. It is based on Don Herron's personal experience as a seismic interpreter and is organized along the lines of notes from interpretation classes that he designed and teaches.
Print version: SEG Members US$49, List US$62 E-book version: SEG Members US$42, List US$53, Student US$34 Table of Contents (803kb PDF)

SEAM Phase I: Challenges of Subsalt Imaging in Tertiary Basins, with Emphasis on Deepwater Gulf of Mexico By Michael Fehler and P. Joseph Keliher SEAM is a collaborative industrial research effort dedicated to large-scale, geophysical numerical simulation projects. The projects are designed to provide the exploration geosciences community with earth models and simulated data that represent significant geophysical challenges of high business value to the petroleum resource industry. The Phase I project produced a deepwater subsalt earth model designed to capture as much physics and realism as possible in a 3D model that was relevant to oil and gas exploration. The 3D model covers a 40 × 35 × 15 km area and includes a complex salt intrusive in a folded Tertiary basin. The primary deliverable was the seismic data set of variable density acoustic simulations consisting of 200 TB of uncompressed traces for over 60,000 shots. Also delivered to the Participants were several smaller compressed subsets of these data ("classic" data sets) intended for easier handling, simpler distribution to third parties, and easier comparison of imaging tests results. This report covers how the prime objectives of Phase I were met. Details are outlined in chapters on model development, numerical design, acquisition design, production simulations, quality control, and data storage and distribution.
Available only as an e-book E-book version: SEG Members US$38, List US$49, Student US$30 Table of Contents (234kb PDF)

Multicomponent Seismic Technology By Bob A. Hardage, Michael V. DeAngelo, Paul E. Murray, and Diana Sava Much has changed since SEG published a comprehensive book on multicomponent seismic technology in 1991. The current volume, Multicomponent Seismic Technology (SEG Geophysical References Series No. 18), brings the subject up to the present. Emphasis is placed on practical applications of multicomponent seismic technology, with chapters dedicated to data-acquisition procedures, data-processing strategies, techniques for depth registering P and S data, rock-physics principles, joint interpretations of P and S data, and numerous case histories that demonstrate the value of multicomponent data for evaluating onshore and offshore prospects. All forms of multicomponent seismic data are considered — three component, four component, and nine component. Interpretation focuses on elastic wavefield seismic stratigraphy, in which a seismic interpreter gives the same weight to S-wave data as to P-wave data when defining seismic sequences and seismic facies. S-wave splitting in fractured media and other key theoretical concepts are supported by numerous data examples. The book will be of interest to researchers in multicomponent seismic technology and to explorationists who have to locate and exploit energy resources. The book will be appreciated by those who shun mathematical theory because it explains principles and concepts with real data rather than with mathematical equations.
Print version: SEG Members US$79, List US$99 E-book version: SEG Members US$67, List US$84, Student US$54 Table of Contents (564kb PDF)

Seismology of Azimuthally Anisotropic Media and Seismic Fracture Characterization By Ilya Tsvankin and Vladimir Grechka Because most sedimentary rocks encountered in oil and gas exploration are effectively anisotropic, it is imperative to properly estimate seismic anisotropy and incorporate it into data-processing and imaging algorithms. Seismology of Azimuthally Anisotropic Media and Seismic Fracture Characterization (SEG Geophysical References Series No. 17) presents a systematic analysis of seismic signatures for azimuthally anisotropic media and describes anisotropic inversion/processing methods for wide-azimuth reflection data and VSP (vertical seismic profiling) surveys. The main focus is on kinematic parameter-estimation techniques operating with P-waves as well as with the combination of PP and PS (mode-converted) data. The part devoted to prestack amplitudes includes azimuthal AVO (amplitude variation with offset) analysis and a concise treatment of attenuation coefficients, which are highly sensitive to the presence of anisotropy. Discussion of fracture characterization is based on modern effective media theories and illustrates both the potential and limitations of seismic methods. Field-data examples highlight the improvements achieved by accounting for anisotropy in seismic processing, imaging, and fracture detection.
Print version: SEG Members US$79, List US$99 E-book version: SEG Members US$67, List US$84, Student US$54 Table of Contents (3.17MB PDF)

Interpretation of Three-Dimensional Seismic Data, 7th Edition By Alistair R. Brown Interpretation of Three-Dimensional Seismic Data is the definitive, and now classic, text on the subject. Conceived in 1979 and first published in 1986, the book helps geoscientists extract more information from their seismic data and improve the quality of their interpretations (James D. Robertson). The prime focus of the book continues to be the synergy between 3D seismic data and the workstation. The author passionately addresses the widespread problem of data under-utilization. Two new chapters and several new sections have been added in the Seventh Edition, but basic data understanding continues to be stressed.
Print version: SEG Members US$84, List US$115 E-book version: SEG Members US$71, List US$97, Student US$71 Table of Contents (952kb PDF)

Seismic Acquisition from Yesterday to Tomorrow By Julien Meunier During the last few years, seismic acquisition has gone through a phase of fast acceleration, attested to by the development of wide-azimuth surveys, the continuous increase in channel count, and the progress in simultaneous shooting. These developments, made possible by technological advancements today, will enable the production of clearer seismic images tomorrow. Seismic Acquisition from Yesterday to Tomorrow (SEG Distinguished Instructor Series No. 14), the companion book for the 2011 SEG/EAGE Distinguished Instructor Short Course, offers a reflection on this evolution. It starts with a short historical overview, followed by discussions of signal and noise. The core of the book is the relationship between acquisition parameters and seismic-image quality. It will provide geoscientists and all those interested in seismic images with the still unconventional view of seismic data acquisition as the first component of seismic imaging.
Print version: SEG Members US$45, List US$58 E-book version: SEG Members US$38, List US$49, Student US$30 Table of Contents (764kb PDF)

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