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AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 51 (1967)

Issue: 8. (August)

First Page: 1690

Last Page: 1690

Title: Geophysical Evidence of Untapped or Insufficiently Explored Parts of Stratigraphic Sections: ABSTRACT

Author(s): Previous HitHughNext Hit M. Previous HitThrallsTop

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

Beginning with the development of the seismic-reflection method of geophysical profiling about 1930, blanket-type surveys were begun in which a crew (or crews) was placed in a prospective area with the assignment to "map the subsurface." The survey progressed section by section, township by township, and county by county, mapping regional features as well as local detail. The objective was to be there first and to acquire acreage on interesting structures. Those organizations without the financial ability to carry on such programs, or who were late in arriving in the area, learned early that acreage acquisition in an active area even without geophysical or geological information was good protective strategy. Those organizations which acquired strong land positions so ofte obtained positions of power that land acquisition and the land departments who created this position became dominant factors in the industry.

About 1950, so much of the acreage in recognized oil provinces are leased that little incentive remained for conducting blanket or regional-type surveys. Because of the lack of available acreage and other economic factors, geophysical has prospecting degenerated into individual prospect analysis. This forced change in exploration philosophy has been a large contributing factor to the decrease in geophysical activity.

Unfortunately, the instrumentation and techniques used in the blanket-survey era were inadequate for some areas and some exploration problems. Many of the improvements in seismic-instrumentation and seismic-prospecting techniques have been made possible by developments in government-sponsored research and these improvements were developed too late to be applied to the blanket survey.

The quality of analyses of the untested producing potential of some of the important basins of the Mid-Continent area depends on the quality of regional studies and regional information. The cost of obtaining this type of data is great and beyond the financial resources of the average company. Recognition of this problem has led to the formation of exploration combines of one type or another for the express purpose of acquiring quality data of regional type. Even though surveys of this nature are scarce, and data available to a limited number of people and organizations, the impact of these studies on new discoveries is considerable and will become much more of a factor in the immediate future. Geophysical "evidence" is rapidly being accumulated which eventually will lead to the disco ery of new producing trends and to the redrawing of regional maps.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists