Changes

  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps

  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps

  | chapter = Interpreting seismic data

  | chapter = Interpreting seismic data

  | frompg  = 12-1

  | frompg  = 12-5

  | topg    = 12-29

  | topg    = 12-5

  | author  = Christopher L. Liner

  | author  = Christopher L. Liner

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch12/ch12.htm

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch12/ch12.htm

A good interpreter knows the basics of [[seismic survey design]] and can recognize problems when they arise. Even a well-designed survey can be ruined by sloppy acquisition methods. Common culprits are poor positioning or cabling information (i.e., which receivers are live for which shots). For more information about acquisition, please see [[Seismic data acquisition on land]] and [[Marine seismic data acquisition]].

A good interpreter knows the basics of [[seismic survey design]] and can recognize problems when they arise. Even a well-designed survey can be ruined by sloppy acquisition methods. Common culprits are poor positioning or cabling information (i.e., which receivers are live for which shots). For more information about acquisition, please see [[Seismic data acquisition on land]] and [[Marine seismic data acquisition]].

A3-D seismic survey is designed to give optimum results for a particular depth interval containing the target(s). If there are design, acquisition, or processing problems, then the data may contain artifacts. These are most commonly seen as map-view [[amplitude]] patterns and are called an acquisition footprint. One should [[avo]]id footprints because they can mask or confuse geologic patterns in the data.

A3-D seismic survey is designed to give optimum results for a particular depth interval containing the target(s). If there are design, acquisition, or [[Basic seismic processing|processing]] problems, then the data may contain [[artifact]]s. These are most commonly seen as map-view [[amplitude]] patterns and are called an acquisition footprint. One should avoid footprints because they can mask or confuse geologic patterns in the data.

==Processing==

==Processing==

Raw seismic data look as much like an image of the earth as a hamburger looks like a cow. An enormous amount of computer and human effort is required to transform raw seismic data into a usable image. Each step involves many user-supplied parameters that can change the result—maybe a little, maybe a lot. In short, processing should rightly be coupled with the interpretation process since the processor makes decisions affecting data quality. However, this is rarely the case because few individuals possess sufficient expertise in both areas.

Raw [[seismic data]] look as much like an image of the earth as a hamburger looks like a cow. An enormous amount of computer and human effort is required to transform raw seismic data into a usable image. Each step involves many user-supplied parameters that can change the result—maybe a little, maybe a lot. In short, [[Basic seismic processing|processing]] should rightly be coupled with the interpretation process since the processor makes decisions affecting data quality. However, this is rarely the case because few individuals possess sufficient expertise in both areas.

==Getting the most from seismic data==

==Getting the most from seismic data==

In a perfect world, one person or a small team would design, oversee acquisition, process, and interpret a seismic survey. All too often, an off-the-shelf design is shot by a low-bid contractor, processed with standard flow and parameters, then delivered for interpretation. The company that breaks out of this cycle of mediocrity can expect to pay more but can also achieve a competitive advantage.

In a perfect world, one person or a small team would design, oversee acquisition of, process, and interpret a seismic survey. All too often, an off-the-shelf design is shot by a low-bid contractor, processed with standard flow and parameters, then delivered for interpretation. The company that breaks out of this cycle of mediocrity can expect to pay more but can also achieve a competitive advantage.

==See also==

==See also==

[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  

[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  

[[Category:Interpreting seismic data]]

[[Category:Interpreting seismic data]]