Publication Name: PESA News
Authors: Mark Ballesteros, Maighread Nf Dheasuna, Paul Tredgett, Searcher Seismic; Jim Dirstein, Alistair Stanley, Total Depth
Publication Issue: 117
Date Published: April 2012
Number of Pages: 4
Abstract:
Twenty years ago 3D seismic data was widely considered an expensive technology and was generally applied to relatively limited survey areas, most often for field appraisal and development. Times have changed, of course. As a result of improvements in acquisition and processing techniques, coupled with increasing drilling costs and the pursuit of more geologically complex targets, 3D seismic data is now generally considered a standard, if not essential, part of the prospect identification and evaluation process. Many prospective areas exist where open file 3D seismic coverage is available, making it difficult to justify the cost of acquiring new 3D data. Yet these surveys often comprise small, partly overlapping data sets that vary widely in quality, character and vintage. In addition, edge effects often preclude confident correlation between the data sets.