A delegation of 11 members of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists visited the People's Republic of China (PRC), September 5-27, 1979. Facilities visited were the Geophysical Research Institute and an instrument factory in Peking, computer center in Zhou Xien (60 km south of Peking), Shengli oil field on the Yellow River delta, marine branch of the Geological Exploration Corp. in Shanghai, southwest branch of the China Petroleum Corp. in Chengtu, and south seas branch of the China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corp. in Canton.

Delegation members presented previously prepared papers at each facility visited except at the instrument factory in Peking. A seismic-field party operating near Chungking also was visited.

Group discussions followed presentations of papers by delegation members. Generally, these consisted of a description by PRC geophysicists of current seismic exploration efforts and associated problems peculiar to the areas being explored. Delegation members then endeavored to answer specific questions and offer potential solutions to problems encountered. A wide range of topics were involved, covering seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation. Of special interest were (1) determination of lithology, (2) reef exploration, (3) operations in areas of rugged topography, (4) deconvolution, (5) modeling and migration, and (6) static time corrections. PRC geophysicists appeared extremely anxious to acquire necessary modern skills in petroleum exploration. A present lack of su ficient modern field equipment and data processing systems is being corrected by purchases from the United States and France as rapidly as possible. This activity, coupled with the training of personnel by U.S. petroleum and geophysical service companies, should bring petroleum exploration in the PRC to a more advanced stage in a few years.

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