“The geophysicists can’t do without the geologists and vice versa. It is critically important to do it on a team basis.”

Tako Koning, winner of the Best Oral Paper Award at IMAGE '24, shares clear lessons from a career working on basement reservoir exploration. He explains why seismic and geophysical data, integrated with geology, lead to better decisions, and how teamwork and open data help both companies and host countries. He also offers practical career advice and points to new opportunities in mature basins and areas such as geothermal, carbon capture, helium, hydrogen, and lithium.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

> Data and integration: Seismic and geophysical data, combined with geological analysis, are essential for finding and developing basement reservoirs.

> Learned lessons: Tako shares stories from his career that show the need for careful testing, correct depth, and patient development to avoid commercial failure.

> People and future: Teamwork and data sharing improve results for everyone, and broad early career experience transfers well to new areas like geothermal, carbon capture, helium, hydrogen, and lithium.

GUEST BIO

Tako Koning is Holland-born and Alberta-raised with a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Alberta and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Calgary. After initially working as a mud logger with Continental Labs, he worked for Texaco Canada Ltd. and soon became a team leader looking after northern Alberta. Tako subsequently became the project geologist for the Blue H-28 deep water drilling project, which was drilled in the Orphan Basin, Newfoundland, in 1979. The exploration well established a deepwater and drilling depth record at the time, and remains as one of the greatest technical successes in the Canadian Frontier.

In the last three decades, Tako has been highly involved with professional societies, by way of presenting and publishing papers and volunteering. He is a member of CSPG, CSEG, APEGGA, AAPG, SPE, SEG, Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain, Geological Society of London, Houston Geological Society, and an honorary life member of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists.

LINKS

* See the complete Best of IMAGE '24 winners - https://www.imageevent.org/best-of-image-2024

* Attend IMAGE '25 - https://www.imageevent.org/

* Learn more about the new podcast series, Inside IMAGE, presented by Seismic Soundoff - https://www.imageevent.org/podcast

"Strong environmental monitoring isn’t just good for the ocean. It’s also good for the business."

Daniella Bordon, Director of Environment & Sustainability at BGP Offshore and chair of the SEG Sustainability Committee, shares her journey from marine mammal observer to global ESG strategist, offering practical and passionate insights into ocean conservation through seismic operations. She explains how science-based decisions, qualified environmental teams, and strong stakeholder relationships can protect both marine life and business goals. Daniella also highlights how SEG and BGP Offshore are connecting sustainability with applied geophysics, creating a clear path for impact.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

> Strong environmental monitoring, backed by qualified teams, helps companies avoid delays and build trust.

> Geoscience and sustainability are deeply connected, and proactive efforts lead to long-term business success.

> Giving nature a seat at the table means treating ecosystems as active participants in project planning.

> Events like IMAGE and SBGf are helping geoscientists learn, connect, and take action on sustainability.

GUEST BIO

Daniella Bordon is the Director of Environment & Sustainability at BGP Offshore and chair of the SEG Sustainability Committee. She began her career as a marine mammal observer and has since become a global ESG strategist, dedicated to advancing ocean conservation through science-based seismic operations. Daniella emphasizes the importance of making decisions grounded in data, investing in qualified environmental teams, and building stakeholder trust to protect marine ecosystems and strengthen business resilience. Through her leadership at SEG and BGP Offshore, she continues to connect sustainability with applied geophysics, shaping a more responsible and impactful future for the energy industry.

LINKS

* Attend IMAGE '25 - https://www.imageevent.org/

* Learn more about the SBGf Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - https://rio25.sbgf.org.br/

* Read more about the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development - https://oceandecade.org/

* Learn more about the new podcast series, Inside IMAGE, presented by Seismic Soundoff - https://www.imageevent.org/podcast

* Listen to the complete archive at https://seg.org/podcasts/

“Repeatability is the biggest hurdle in time-lapse monitoring, but it’s also where the opportunity lies. 4D FWI can help address those repeatability challenges.”

On this episode, Andrew Geary sits down with Madhav Vyas and Kris Innanen, guest editors for July’s The Leading Edge special section on 4D full-waveform inversion. They explain how 4D FWI goes beyond traditional differencing by fully inverting wavefields, making time-lapse seismic more robust against survey inconsistencies and complex overburden. Listeners will learn why now is the perfect time to adopt 4D FWI, the main technical hurdles around repeatability and uncertainty, and the first steps to take for reservoir monitoring and survey design.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

> 4D FWI inverts the full wavefield - reflections, refractions, diving waves, multiples - to detect reservoir changes, making it more robust than conventional 4D processing.

> Repeatability of surveys and assessing uncertainty are the biggest challenges, but workflows like hypothesis testing, batch FWI, and null-space shuttling help mitigate inversion noise.

> High-quality data and accurate physics (elasticity, attenuation, anisotropy) are essential; advances in GPU-driven computation enable faster iterations and richer uncertainty analysis.

CALL TO ACTION

Read July's The Leading Edge special section on 4D FWI at https://library.seg.org/toc/leedff/44/7, then explore an open-source FWI toolbox.

LINKS

* Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-265-from-differences-to-inversion-a-new-era-for-4d-seismic for the complete show notes.

“Geoscientists without Borders shows how geophysics isn’t just for oil and gas; it’s for helping people and communities.”

In this episode, Shuhab Khan and David Bartel share how the SEG Foundation and Geoscientists without Borders are helping build resilient coastal communities through the Matagorda Bay Field Trip at IMAGE ‘25. Shuhab explains how students and professionals will get hands-on experience using cutting-edge tools to monitor coastal erosion and habitat stability while learning to apply geophysics for societal impact. David highlights how the SEG Foundation’s support makes these initiatives possible, encouraging listeners to support and join this important mission.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

> Learn how drone surveys, satellite data, and ground-penetrating radar are used to monitor erosion and protect vulnerable coastal areas.

> Understand why coastal resilience is a humanitarian need and how geophysics can directly support community safety and environmental stability.

> Discover how Geoscientists without Borders and the SEG Foundation enable field opportunities that connect science with real-world solutions for energy, water, and climate challenges.

CALL TO ACTION

Sign up for the Matagorda Bay Field Trip at IMAGE ‘25 at https://www.imageevent.org/short-courses/field-trip-2025/building-resilient-coastal-communities-at-matagorda-bay%E2%80%93a-geoscientists-without-borders to experience hands-on geophysics that helps coastal communities.

LINKS

* Register for IMAGE 2025 at https://www.imageevent.org/

* Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-264-fieldwork-that-changes-lives-inside-the-matagorda-bay-field-camp for the complete show notes.

“We want attendees to walk away saying they learned something new, made a new connection, or heard a crazy idea that just might change how they work. That’s the success we hope IMAGE brings.”

In this episode of Seismic Soundoff, Julian Chenin and Paula de Oliveira share what makes IMAGE 2025 the premier geoscience event you won’t want to miss. From global collaboration and interactive pavilions to fostering the next generation of geoscientists, they reveal how IMAGE is shaping the future of energy and applied geophysics. Whether you’re looking to learn, network, or discover a new idea, this conversation will inspire you to get the most out of your IMAGE experience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

> IMAGE is more than a conference; it’s a global, collaborative space where geoscientists, students, and industry leaders tackle energy challenges together while celebrating the profession.

> New and expanded features like core displays, K-12 engagement, and networking hubs are designed to connect you with emerging technologies, fresh ideas, and career opportunities.

> Planning using the IMAGE preview guide will help you make the most of your time, ensuring you catch key technical sessions, panels, and the conversations that can spark your next breakthrough.

CALL TO ACTION

Explore the IMAGE 2025 Preview Guide at https://imageevent.org/ and start planning your conference experience today. And if you’re ready to give back, consider volunteering or mentoring to help shape the next generation of geoscientists while expanding your network and skills.

THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY KATALYST DATA MANAGEMENT

Katalyst Data Management® provides the only fully integrated, end-to-end subsurface data solution to the oil and gas industry. Visit us at IMAGE 2025, Booth #1129, from August 25–28 to meet our global team and learn how we help clients gain value from their seismic and well data. We’ll have live demos and presentations of our latest technology and what’s next in subsurface data. Learn more at www.katalystdm.com and socials.

LINKS

* Register for IMAGE 2025 at https://www.imageevent.org/

* Read the Preview Guide at https://irp.cdn-website.com/3c79eb10/files/uploaded/IMG25_PreviewGuide_Rev20250701_web.pdf

* Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-263-image-2025-innovation-collaboration-and-the-future-of-energy/ for the complete show notes.

"Volunteering helps you build your network, sharpen your skills, and open doors you didn’t know existed."

In this episode of Seismic Soundoff, SEG all-star volunteers Sergio Chávez-Pérez and Joe Reilly reflect on their recent articles in The Leading Edge’s President's Page series. They delve into the importance of professional growth, how SEG supports geophysicists worldwide, and why now is a pivotal time for the profession. With decades of experience and deep involvement in SEG, they offer wisdom, encouragement, and actionable advice for navigating today's changing energy and tech landscapes.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

> Stay curious and connected: Volunteering with SEG builds professional networks, encourages lifelong learning, and often leads to unexpected opportunities.

> Adapt to change: The energy transition, AI, and global opportunities are transforming the geosciences - SEG webinars, journals, and programs help you stay ahead.

> Understand before you apply: AI is powerful, but critical thinking and understanding the fundamentals are key to meaningful application in geophysics.

CALL TO ACTION

Read Sergio and Joe’s President's Page articles in The Leading Edge to dive deeper into their ideas. And if you’re inspired, get involved - join a webinar, volunteer, or become a mentor. SEG thrives because of passionate members like you.

LINKS

* Joseph Reilly, (2025), "President's Page: What excites you (professionally)?," The Leading Edge 44: 241–242. https://doi.org/10.1190/tle44040241.1

* Sergio Chávez-Pérez, (2025), "President's Page: Follow, understand, and do with SEG's help," The Leading Edge 44: 77–77. https://doi.org/10.1190/tle44020077.1

* Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-262-more-than-membership-turning-seg-engagement-into-career-growth/ for additional links.

"We're seeing rapid advances both in seismic acquisition technologies and in processing techniques. In order to get data that is appropriate for full waveform inversion, you have to rethink how you're acquiring the data in the field."

In this episode, host Andrew Geary speaks with Andrea Crook, CEO of OptiSeis and lead instructor of the IMAGE 2025 short course, Innovations in Land Seismic Acquisition. Andrea explores the seismic design landscape, breaking down how advances in sources, sensors, sampling, and sustainability are reshaping land acquisition. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies to enhance survey quality, minimize environmental impact, and more effectively connect acquisition with processing and interpretation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

> Innovations in survey design, such as high-density Vibroseis and nodal systems, lead to improved data and safer operations.

> Sustainability in seismic acquisition isn’t just good for the planet - it also drives cost efficiency and long-term data value.

> Course attendees will learn how to evaluate survey trade-offs, enhance trace density, and make informed decisions using real-world examples.

CALL TO ACTION

Ready to improve your surveys and future-proof your data? Sign up for Innovations in Land Seismic Acquisition at IMAGE 2025. This hands-on short course, led by Andrea Crook, covers the latest technologies, field-tested strategies, and real-world examples to boost your survey success. Separate registration is required; please reserve your spot at https://www.imageevent.org/short-courses/short-course-25/innovations-in-land-seismic-acquisition-seg.

GUEST BIO

Andrea Crook, P.Geoph., is the CEO of OptiSeis, a company she co-founded in 2011 to provide innovative solutions for accurate subsurface imaging. Andrea graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.Sc. Honours in Geophysics and began her career at Shell Canada in seismic processing and geophysical operations. Based on her extensive contributions to the field of geophysics, she received the 2019 CSEG Technical Achievement Award and was the Society’s 2023 Symposium Honouree. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN), was selected to present the 2024/25 CSEG Canadian Distinguished Lecture Tour, and is the recipient of both the 2019 and 2024 GeoConvention Best Paper Award. Through active collaboration with industry and academia, she and her team continue to develop innovative solutions for environmentally sustainable subsurface imaging.

LINKS

* Sign up for Innovations in Land Seismic Acquisition at IMAGE 2025 at https://www.imageevent.org/short-courses/short-course-25/innovations-in-land-seismic-acquisition-seg

* Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-261-innovations-in-land-seismic-acquisition-with-andrea-crook for all the resources mentioned in this episode.

“The goal is to keep injected CO₂ safely in place - that’s why understanding fault networks is so critical.”

In this episode, host Andrew Geary welcomes David Lubo-Robles, lead author of The Leading Edge paper on detecting small-offset faults for carbon capture and storage (CCUS). David explains how advanced seismic attributes, without relying on machine learning, can help geoscientists better map faults that influence the movement of CO₂ underground. His insights demonstrate the importance of applied geophysics in enabling safer and smarter reservoir management in the era of climate solutions.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

> Advanced Seismic Attributes Matter: Multispectral coherence and volumetric aberrancy help visualize subtle faults often missed by traditional methods.

> Fault Mapping Is Critical for CCUS: Understanding both large and small faults reduces geological risk and improves CO₂ storage safety.

> Applied Geophysics Is Essential: From modeling to monitoring, geophysicists play a vital role in every stage of a successful CCUS project.

CALL TO ACTION

Want to dig deeper into how seismic attributes enhance fault detection for carbon storage? Read David’s paper in The Leading Edge, “Detection of small-offset faults in seismic data: An application for carbon capture and storage.” Whether you're in CCUS, oil and gas, or geothermal, this workflow offers tools you can apply today. Read at https://doi.org/10.1190/tle44040276.1.

GUEST BIO

David Lubo-Robles is a Research Scientist and Algorithm and Computing Lead for the Attribute Assisted Seismic Processing & Interpretation (AASPI) Consortium at the University of Oklahoma. David received a B.S. in geophysical engineering from Simon Bolivar University, Venezuela, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in geophysics from the University of Oklahoma. His research interests include the development and application of innovative tools using artificial intelligence, quantitative interpretation, and seismic attribute analysis to delineate geologic features suitable for energy and climate solutions.

LINKS

* Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-260-small-faults-big-impact-improving-ccus-with-seismic-attributes for all the links mentioned in this episode.

"Publishing at a conference and publishing in GEOPHYSICS are quite different. The journal lets you go deeper and make your work reproducible and usable for others."

In this insightful episode, host Andrew Geary speaks with Dr. Alison Malcolm, the former Editor-in-Chief of GEOPHYSICS, SEG's leading journal for applied geophysics. Alison demystifies the often misunderstood editorial process, shares highlights from her tenure, and offers heartfelt advice for authors, reviewers, and future editors. This conversation celebrates the dedicated volunteers behind the journal and sheds light on the upcoming transition to GeoScienceWorld.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

> Learn how a paper travels through the editorial process from submission to acceptance, including how volunteers play a key role at every stage.

> Understand what makes a strong paper submission and how to stand out as a reviewer or future editor.

> Explore how the journal is evolving with the transition to a new publishing platform and the impact of AI on the editing process.

CALL TO ACTION

Visit https://library.seg.org/action/showAlertSettings to sign up for the table of contents for GEOPHYSICS and other SEG publications. It's a great way to stay up to date with the latest technical innovations. And if you're interested in reviewing or editing for the journal, reach out to [email protected] - your voice and expertise can help shape the future of applied geophysics!

“The difference now is horizontal wells, faster drilling, and better geophysics. That makes today’s EGS attempts more promising than ever.”

In this episode, host Andrew Geary talks with Michael Wilt and Bill Cumming, guest editors of the April 2025 The Leading Edge special section on geophysical applications to geothermal exploration and development. With decades of field experience, Bill and Michael dive into the lessons and findings from the U.S. Department of Energy's FORGE Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) research project and Fervo's Cape Modern EGS commercial project.

The interview features thoughtful back-and-forth that reveals the complexity of emerging EGS techniques. They discuss how microseismic monitoring, DAS systems, P-wave velocity models, and well design are shaping the future of EGS development. Importantly, they share practical advice for how geophysicists and students can get involved in this rapidly evolving field.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

> Utah FORGE and Cape Modern are shaping the practical future of EGS, offering real data and insight into what works, what doesn't, and what still needs to be figured out.

> Back-and-forth perspectives from Bill and Michael show that even experts are still navigating unknowns in EGS development, especially around velocity modeling, fiber reliability, and stimulation strategies.

> Geophysics is critical in reducing uncertainty in geothermal projects, but models must be questioned and continuously updated as new data arrives.

THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY KATALYST DATA MANAGEMENT

Katalyst Data Management® provides the only integrated, end-to-end subsurface data management solution for the oil and gas industry. Its employees operate in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America and are dedicated to optimizing the value of subsurface data, including seismic and well data. Katalyst enables clients’ digital transformation of E&P data with digitizing services and digital transformation consulting. Learn more at www.katalystdm.com.

LINKS

* Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-258-drilling-das-and-disagreements-a-real-look-at-egs-geophysics for links to the articles in The Leading Edge.