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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
Houston Geological Society Bulletin
Abstract
Abstract: 3D
Acquisition
- Perils and Pitfalls
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By
Global Geophysical Experts, Inc.
You are in the middle of your 3D seismic acquisition
program and have more problems than you know what
to do with! The environmentalists are upset that you are
shooting in the bird sanctuary, the prison warden on whose
grounds you are shooting over wants to go to a Saints game,
and the permit agent has an individual who claims you
have damaged ten of his seven foot marijuana plants valued
at $1000 each. The crew is standing by waiting on a permit
that was overlooked and your injunction is going to take
another eight days before you get a hearing. This was supposed
to be a piece of cake! After all, everyone is shooting
3D. You never heard of these problems from anyone else! Is
yours that unique or is it just that no one is telling about
their problems and challenges? Now your partners are
threatening to pull out if you cannot get this shot in the
time frame you indicated. Geez, where is it all going to
end? Oh, and by the way, you are over budget!
The advent of 3D seismic has created additional
opportunities within the realms of hydrocarbon exploration
and production. This new tool allows explorationists to
delineate features which they otherwise would not find.
However, as with any new technique, there is a learning
curve and mistakes are going to be made. Depending on the
individuals and the company, these errors can occur in the
office while designing the 3D program or in the field during
the many stages of acquiring your data set. Though
modeling and formulas are an integral aspect of planning
the 3D seismic acquisition
program, field knowledge and
expertise are the key elements between a successful and an
unsuccessful 3D program.
Especially when you meet Billy Bob Jim Jack who owns two sections right in the middle of your prospect and he "just don't really want none of them seismographic people runnin' around on my place!" And Rincky Dink Oil Company wants some data for free for a mineral permit. So, while our design looked great in the office when you planned it and presented it to management, it has now taken on a whole new picture, and not necessarily one for the better. How do you overcome this challenge?
While a poorly planned and executed 3D seismic acquisition
program will result in dry holes and cost millions
of dollars (as well as one's job), a successfully planned
but poorly executed 3D program will have the same results.
Incorrect control of such issues as mineral and surface permitting
can result not only in an unusable survey, but it can
also cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and bankrupt an
exploration company. Companies must stay current on new
federal and state regulations facing the industry or find
themselves in a predicament that will take years of litigation
to unravel.
And let's not forget the time necessary to execute each
individual stage of the geophysical acquisition
process. Oh,
you mean the contractor didn't mention that the drills were
on another job that has been getting rain for two weeks and
can't get to yours for a couple of more weeks? Yes, they were
promised, but hands are tied and there is nothing that can be
done. Hmmm, imagine. Detailed coordination among all
contractors, subcontractors and the company forms the cornerstone
of a successfully completed 3D program.
Wow! You finally have the field acquisition
complete!
What do you mean the processor is funning behind and
can't get to yours right now?! They promised! Yes, but your
3D data was not there at the promised time. Well, you ran
into unexpected circumstances, surely they can understand
that! Yes, they do understand, but a huge international project
came in that has a short fuse due to the timing of the
bid round and your 3D will have to wait. Surely you, as a
End_Page 24---------------
business person, can understand that, right? Now your partners
are really hot! Oh, by the way, you are getting calls
from some of the landowners who are not happy about
what you have done to their land
and someone's "prize
bull" broke his leg in one of your shotholes. And some of
the permits were not paid, so you are also getting calls from
other landowners. And you thought that just because the
crew was out of the field, you were done with the 3D program.
Remember that Murphy's Law applies more so to
seismic
acquisition
than to almost any other component of
the oilpatch.
No matter how detailed the planning appears in the
3D arena, a situation will in all probability occur that will
affect the procedure utilized in acquiring the data, though
not necessarily the data quality itself. Properly planned and
properly executed 3D seismic acquisition
programs are
every exploration manager's dream, a geoscientist's reward,
and a company's road to building success.
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