Most high-resolution geophysical survey systems were developed by the petroleum industry and by the military as remote-sensing techniques for measuring seafloor morphologic and shallow geologic conditions in the marine environment. These systems have evolved over the past 20 years and now provide a wide range of capabilities and potential applications. However, they are primarily being used to provide detailed geologic information for offshore drilling-hazards surveys and production facility-siting studies.

High-resolution geophysical data will augment geochemical exploration programs when they are used to target locations with the highest potential for sampling success. In addition, they will fill the "gap in resolution" between conventional seismic data and surface geochemical data. The collection of high resolution geophysical data is completely field-compatible with geochemical exploration programs and very beneficial to overall program success.

Several examples of anomalous acoustic responses on high-resolution marine seismic profiles are presented here. Many of these anomalies correlate the presence of gaseous hydrocarbons in the shallow sediments and in the water column. It is also very common to falsely associate some "anomalies" with the presence of gas. A complete understanding of the geological environment is critical to proper interpretation.

Simultaneous operation of up to five different high-resolution systems is now possible. This process allows some qualification of the subtle variations in each system's response to shallow acoustic anomalies. It also confirms their relative capacity to resolve various geologic features.

When data are properly collected and interpreted, high-resolution systems can be used to delineate relatively small concentrations of gas and zones of gassy sediments in the shallow geologic section. These systems can also be used to locate and identify surface features such as seep mounds, gas craters, carbonate build-ups, water-column anomalies, and seafloor fractures. All of these features, associated with hydrocarbon migration to the seafloor, provide ideal targets for successful geochemical exploration programs.

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