Quality control in Seismic Acquisition – How much data is required?

Asked by: Patrick Paulson

In [1], it is mentioned that just around 10 bytes/minute are sufficient.

What is QC in seismic?

Summary. Quality Control (QC) is an essential way of seismic data processing follow up necessary to insure appropriateness of the final deliverables. Qualitative approach based mainly on visual analysis of spectra, gathers, sections, slices etc. before and after key processing steps is most commonly used for such a QC.

How is seismic data measured?

They can be measured along a single seismic trace or across multiple traces within a defined window. The first attributes developed were related to the 1D complex seismic trace and included: envelope amplitude, instantaneous phase, instantaneous frequency, and apparent polarity.

How much does seismic data cost?

Currently, it costs around $75,000 per square mile to acquire 3D seismic data. The Oil and Gas Company that requests the acquisition spends at least $1M, and possibly over $40M, before they see any of the results. The mineral owners and surface owners pay nothing.

How do you acquire seismic data acquisition?

In geophysical exploration, seismic data are acquired by firing an energy source on or near the Earth’s surface and recording the energy reflected back to the surface from the geologic substrata.

What is 5D seismic data?

5D interpolation uses a neighbourhood of acquired seismic data to predict the missing data. Ideally, data that are missing in one or two of the spatial dimension can be reconstructed using data that are present and well sampled in the other spatial dimensions.

How is seismic data collected?

Seismic surveys use reflected sound waves to produce a “CAT scan” of the Earth’s subsurface. Seismic surveys can help locate ground water, are used to investigate locations for landfills, and characterize how an area will shake during an earthquake, but they are primarily used for oil and gas exploration.

What is 4D seismic data?

4D seismic survey is a three-dimensional (3D) seismic data acquired at different times over the same area to assess changes in a producing hydrocarbon reservoir with time. Changes may be observed in fluid movement and saturation, pressure, and temperature.

What is 4C seismic data?

four-component (4C) seismic data



1. n. [Geophysics] Four-component (4C) borehole or marine seismic data are typically acquired using three orthogonally-oriented geophones and a hydrophone within an ocean-bottom sensor (deployed in node-type systems as well as cables).

What is 2D seismic data?

A two dimensional (2D) seismic survey is an exploration method used to create a map of the structures beneath Earth’s surface (see image below). The method sends energy waves into the Earth.

How much does seismic sensor cost?

Geophones have long been the sensor of choice for seismic surveys, being highly sensitive and robust. When purchased individually elements cost around $60 but prices rapidly decline when the number is increased, dropping to around $20.

How accurate is seismic data?

The accuracy of the seismic velocities’ reconstruction is estimated as 0.1 km/s for both compressional and shear waves while the resolution at depth is around 1–1.5 km.

What is seismic data?

Seismic data is the principal geophysical method used to image the subsurface in both land and marine environments.

Do engineers use seismic data?

Scientists use this dataset to determine how earthquakes effect an area and whether seismic data can be used to predict future earthquakes. Engineers use this dataset to study how shaking effects structures and how structures can be built to withstand damage.

Why do we need seismic data?

By knowing the speeds that seismic waves travel through rocks at different locations and depths, we can learn about geologic structures in the Earth.

What are the three methods of seismic data processing?

There are three primary steps in processing seismic data — deconvolution, stacking, and migration, in their usual order of application.