Seismic Soundoff

Oz Yilmaz discusses his latest book, "Land Seismic Case Studies for Near-Surface Modeling and Subsurface Imaging."

Written for practicing geophysicists, this book is the culmination of land seismic data acquisition and processing projects conducted by Oz over the last two decades. Containing nearly 800 figures from worldwide 2D and 3D case studies, it is a comprehensive guide to understanding the acquisition, processing, and analyzing of seismic data.

In this episode, Oz shares why marine versus land seismic makes an important difference, why the image-based workflow described in the book matters to geophysicists, the criteria for a migration algorithm to qualify as a depth migration algorithm, one of the most likely applications of artificial intelligence for seismic data analysis, and more. Oz's expertise and experience are highlighted in detail in this revealing and essential conversation.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for the link to Oz's book and a bonus clip highlighting the case studies presented in the book.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Oz Yilmaz received his Ph.D. in Geophysics from Stanford University. He previously worked for Schlumberger, Western Geophysical, and Paradigm. Dr. Yilmaz received the Virgil Kauffman Gold Medal Award from SEG in 1991 and the Conrad Schlumberger Award from EAEG in 1992. He served SEG as Vice-President from 1993-1994, and as the 1996 Spring Distinguished Lecturer. He also served EAEG in 1992 as Associate Editor of Geophysical Prospecting. He is the author of several books, most recently "Land Seismic Case Studies for Near-Surface Modeling and Subsurface Imaging."

SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by CGG.

Sometimes the toughest challenges are the ones right below your feet. The “near-surface” is notorious for generating a host of issues for seismic imaging, and overcoming these challenges demands experience and the latest technology.

For over 90 years CGG has championed the latest seismic advancements. From industry-leading surface wave inversion and advanced de-multiple algorithms to the high-performance computing required for modern land datasets, CGG can help you tame the near-surface so you can image the deep.

Let CGG help you to see things differently. Visit https://www.cgg.com/ to learn more.

CREDITS

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

Jean-Paul van Gestel highlights the latest for seismic interpretation, the special section in July's The Leading Edge.

Seismic interpretation is the end game of the seismic data experiment. This is where all the hard work from seismic theory, modeling, acquisition, processing, and analysis comes together at the desks of the interpreters.

In this episode, Jean-Paul discusses the interpreter's role in the workflow, why oil is first found in the mind of the geologist, how to take full advantage of the latest technology, and the best way to communicate to the decision-makers.

Jean-Paul van Gestel is an Adviser for Geophysical Integration at BP. He advises on the integration of the range of geophysical approaches including time-lapse (4D) seismic and new technologies like DAS into the geoscience workflow across various functions and disciplines. Jean-Paul has a Ph.D. in geophysics from The University of Texas at Austin.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for the complete show notes.

SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by CGG.

What have we learned in the 90 years since we were founded? That understanding the subsurface can be tough!

Impactful insight can only be achieved with the right knowledge, experience, and technology to match the complexity of your challenges.

CGG’s unique geoscience offerings provide a competitive advantage, giving you greater certainty when creating geological models and assessing subsurface risk. Visit https://www.cgg.com/ to learn more.

With CGG, see things differently.

CREDITS

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

Nimisha Vedanti highlights her Honorary Lecture on understanding seismic wave attenuation mechanisms.

Nimisha explains how she discovered the problem of seismic attenuation, why seismic attenuation is one of the least understood physical mechanisms, practical takeaways from her lecture, and highlights from two real-world case studies.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for the complete show notes.

BIOGRAPHY

Nimisha Vedanti received M.Sc. (Tech) in Exploration Geophysics from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, and Ph.D. (2007) from Osmania University, Hyderabad, India, while working as a Junior Scientist at CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India. She held a postdoctoral position at the University of Texas at Austin, USA (2007-2008), and worked as CSIR-Raman Research Fellow at the Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, Canada in 2016. She has been a visiting scientist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and SINTEF Petroleum Research, Trondheim, Norway, under Indo-Norwegian Collaboration Programs (2005-2006 and 2010-2013). She had short research stay at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia in April 2018.

Nimisha was the Indian project coordinator for the Indo-Norwegian collaborative projects that focused on the ‘4D Seismic Monitoring of In-situ Combustion Process in Balol Heavy Oil Field, India’ and ‘Feasibility Assessment of a CO2 EOR process in Ankleshwar Oil Field, India’. She led these projects in collaborations with NTNU, SINTEF, and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India under a tripartite agreement signed under the aegis of Norwegian Embassy in India.

Presently, Nimisha is senior principal scientist and in charge of Shallow Seismic Group at CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India. Her group is carrying out 2D/3D seismic surveys for the exploration of Coal Bed Methane and Shale Gas in the Gondwana coal fields of India. She is also leading two research projects focused on the assessment of sedimentary basins of India for CO2 EOR and sequestration. These projects are supported by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, and the Natural Environment Research Council, UK. She is also serving the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, India as a Professor.

She has published more than 60 articles and co-authored a handbook titled Fractal Models in Exploration Geophysics published by Elsevier Science under the ‘Seismic Exploration Series.’

Nimisha is a recipient of many prestigious awards, including the ‘National Geoscience Award’ given by the Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India, ‘Young Scientist Award’ given by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)-Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, ‘Krishnan Medal’ by the Indian Geophysical Union, ‘KR Gupta Medal’ by the Geological Society of India and Indian Science Congress Association’s Young Scientist Award.

She is the lead coordinator for the theme ‘Geological Sequestration of CO2 and Enhanced Oil Recovery’ during the forthcoming 36th International Geological Congress (IGC) 2021.

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by TGS.

TGS offers a wide range of energy data and insights to meet the industry where it’s at and where it’s headed.

TGS provides scientific data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. In addition to a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, TGS offers specialized services such as advanced processing and analytics alongside cloud-based data applications and solutions. Visit https://www.tgs.com/ to learn more.

CREDITS

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Kathy Gamble, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

Josef Paffenholz discusses the next trillion-dollar business and how SEG's SEAM project could play an essential role in its creation.

The SEG Advanced Modeling (SEAM) Corporation initiative is a collaborative industrial research effort that has created and continues to create large-scale, leading-edge geophysical numerical simulations. The initiative has advanced “the science of geophysics through SEAM’s open collaborative and cooperative research model involving industry, government, and academia.”

In this exciting conversation, Josef highlights why the oil and gas sector represents the best source to tackle industrial-scale carbon storage, why he believes it's dangerous to link carbon storage to the oil price, and how advanced simulations like SEAM could ignite this trillion-dollar business.

Josef Paffenholz is a retired research geophysicist and currently works as a consultant for SEAM to prepare a possible carbon sequestration project.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for the complete show notes.

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by TGS.

TGS offers a wide range of energy data and insights to meet the industry where it’s at and where it’s headed.

TGS provides scientific data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. In addition to a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, TGS offers specialized services such as advanced processing and analytics alongside cloud-based data applications and solutions. Visit https://www.tgs.com/ to learn more.

CREDITS

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Kathy Gamble, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

Historian Brian Frehner discusses the energy transition from coal to oil and the historical importance of J. Clarence Karcher.

June 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of field tests confirming that J. Clarence Karcher's seismic reflection technique could detect and map structures capable of trapping oil. In this future-focused conversation, Brian discusses why Karcher left the oil business after his major breakthrough, the impact business had on the development of the oil industry, the creation of geophysics as a discipline, and the lessons learned for future energy transitions.

The transition to oil may seem obvious now, but it was not inevitable. By studying the past energy transition from coal to oil, scientists and the public can better understand how transitions do and do not occur and better prepare for future transitions.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for the complete show notes.

BIOGRAPHY

Brian Frehner is an Associate Professor of History at the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Brian writes and teaches about the history of oil, energy, the environment, and the American West. He is currently at work on a monograph that recounts the history of the science and technology that make up the field of “exploration geophysics” during the first half of the twentieth century. He is also co-editing a volume that examines the role of technology in facilitating humans’ adaptations to their environments. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation and is tentatively titled “Great Plains: An Environmental History.” He is also the author of Finding Oil: The Nature of Petroleum Geology, 1859-1920.

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by TGS.

TGS offers a wide range of energy data and insights to meet the industry where it’s at and where it’s headed.

TGS provides scientific data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. In addition to a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, TGS offers specialized services such as advanced processing and analytics alongside cloud-based data applications and solutions. Visit https://www.tgs.com/ to learn more.

CREDITS

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Kathy Gamble, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

Dr. Dhananjay (DJ) Kumar discusses his course, the value of membership at SEG, and the activities essential for the professional development of geophysicists.

This conversation covers a wide range of topics from synthetic seismograms construction to how to get the most of your membership at SEG. DJ has taken advantage of his activities throughout his career and is excited to share his lessons learned with this audience.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for the complete show notes.

BIOGRAPHY

Dhananjay Kumar received a B.S. (1998) in geological sciences and an M.S (2000) in exploration geophysics from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur and a Ph.D. (2005) in geophysics from the University of Texas at Austin. Since 2012, he has been working as a geophysicist at BP Upstream Technology in Houston. Earlier, he worked one year for Reliance in Mumbai and seven years for Chevron in San Ramon and Houston. His research interests include reservoir properties predictions from seismic, 4D seismic, shale gas, and gas hydrates. He has taught various geophysical courses during SPG-India conference and delivered lectures at universities. He conducts BP’s internal course as well. He is a member of SEG, GSH, AGU, and SPG North America Chapter.

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by CGG.

At CGG, we have a positive outlook for the future - an optimism that drives us to constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Blending new thinking and advanced technologies, we help you understand and solve the world’s most complex natural resource, environmental, and infrastructure challenges. Let CGG help you to see things differently at https://www.cgg.com/.

CREDITS

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Dylan Fehrle, Kathy Gamble, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

Dr. Ali Tura discusses his upcoming Distinguished Lecture, "Recent advances in seismic reservoir characterization and monitoring."

Ali provides an overview of the three advances he highlights in his lecture and shares a few that didn't make the list. In addition, he explains why carbon sequestration is the most important issue facing the industry and why geophysics is well-positioned to support sequestration for enhanced oil recovery. This conversation is a great peek into the next 20 years for geophysics and the industry.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for the complete show notes.

BIOGRAPHY

Ali Tura is a professor of Geophysics and Co-director of the Reservoir Characterization Project at Colorado School of Mines. His expertise is in the areas of petroleum systems, reservoir characterization and monitoring, seismic methods, CO2 and sequestration, fiber optics technology, and data analytics. He is also chief scientist at Tulip Geosciences, a geosciences consulting and training company. Before this, he was geophysical senior fellow at ConocoPhillips, geophysical advisor at Chevron, and 4D subject matter expert at Shell. He has been an SEG member and active in the industry for more than 37 years and served as SEG vice-president, Board of Directors of SEG-SEAM Inc., chairman of the SEG Research Committee, chairman of the editorial board of The Leading Edge, and chairman of the SEG Global Affairs Committee.

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by CGG.

Comprehensive subsurface knowledge goes a long way, bringing new insight to a variety of applications—from reservoir characterization to carbon sequestration and more.

For more than 90 years, CGG has been advancing geoscience to solve complex challenges across multiple industries.

By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, we help our clients discover a brighter future...and see things differently at https://www.cgg.com/.

CREDITS

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Dylan Fehrle, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

David Lumley highlights two of SEG's Strategic Pillars and the geophysicists' role in supporting space exploration and the medical field.

In this illuminating conversation, David outlines how geophysics supports the grand challenges of our world, how geophysics could quantitatively contribute to the medical field, how universities and companies could encourage greater collaboration, and a valuable tip to become a better innovator. This conversation will help jump-start your knowledge on how geophysics can keep innovating and improving this world and beyond.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for the complete show notes.

BIOGRAPHY

David Lumley is noted for his pioneering work in the area of 4D seismic monitoring. He is currently the Cecil and Ida Green Endowed Chair in Geophysics and the director of Seismic Imaging and Inversion Lab at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). His expertise is wave-theoretic Seismology, especially 3D imaging, 4D time-lapse monitoring, and Inversion estimation of physical properties in the earth.

His research involves seismic wavefield data that are (continuously) recorded with 'Large N' sensor arrays, generated by seismic sources that are manmade, or natural (micro)earthquakes and ambient noise. Applications include subsurface energy resources and fluid flow, carbon sequestration, and natural/induced seismicity; at scales ranging from near-surface to reservoir, crust/mantle, and plate tectonics.

A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Lumley received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geophysics and astronomy from the University of British Columbia, and his Ph.D. in geophysics from Stanford University. He currently serves on the SEG Board of Directors and received the J. Clarence Karcher Award in 1996.

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by CGG.

In 1931 - the year after Neil Armstrong was born and just three years after the discovery of penicillin - CGG began its geophysics journey.

In the subsequent 90 years, we have seen extraordinary changes across the world that have demanded adaptability and ingenuity so we can continue to help solve the world’s most complex natural resource, environmental, and infrastructure challenges.

At CGG, we’re proud to be redefining what is possible by helping our clients to see things differently at https://www.cgg.com/.

CREDITS

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Dylan Fehrle, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

Denes Vigh discusses the current developments and future growth areas for full-waveform inversion.

In this informative conversation, Denes shares why it's necessary for full-waveform inversion (FWI) to utilize the full acquired wavefield, how ocean-bottom node surveys have impacted FWI, the next frontier for FWI, and his favorite feature of utilizing FWI in his work.

Denes Vigh is the manager of the Full-Waveform Inversion Center of Excellence at Schlumberger. Check out the May 2021 The Leading Edge to learn more about seismic imaging below complex overburdens.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for the complete show notes.

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by TGS.

TGS offers a wide range of energy data and insights to meet the industry where it’s at and where it’s headed.

TGS provides scientific data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. In addition to a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, TGS offers specialized services such as advanced processing and analytics alongside cloud-based data applications and solutions. Visit https://www.tgs.com to learn more.

CREDITS

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Dylan Fehrle, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

Dr. Michal Ruder discusses continuing education and her new course, Gravity and Magnetics for Explorationists.

In this forward-thinking conversation, Michal shares the most important thing for explorationists to focus on right now, what she would say to the CEO of an oil and gas company, the future of GIS data for exploration, and the importance of nonseismic work in geophysics. As the world transitions to more forms of hybrid learning, this episode will help provide clarity and direction in your continuing education.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for the complete show notes

BIOGRAPHY

Michal Ruder received her AB cum laude from Bowdoin College with a joint major in geology and physics in 1979. In 1986, she was awarded a Ph.D. in geophysics from The Pennsylvania State University. Her work experience spans government, academic, and industrial research and exploration laboratories. While at NASA during graduate school, she analyzed satellite gravity and magnetic data from the Seasat and Magsat missions. Michal joined the (nonseismic) Other Geophysical Methods Group at Exxon Production Research Company in 1986. Her research emphasized the integration of seismic, gravity, magnetic, and electromagnetic techniques. In 1988, Michal was invited to be a visiting professor at the Institut de Geodynamique at the Universite de Bordeaux III in Bordeaux, France, where she designed and taught a curriculum of remote sensing and image processing. Upon returning to the United States, Michal founded Wintermoon Geotechnologies, a value-added consulting firm that performs state-of-the-art integrated analysis of geophysical and GIS data for exploration purposes. Michal continues to design new techniques for modeling, interpreting and integrating gravity, magnetic, and remote sensing data with seismic and well log information for industry clients in geologic settings around the world. She serves as president and chief geophysicist. Her professional affiliations include SEG, where she is a member of the CE and Gravity and Magnetics Committees as well as a past-Second Vice President, and several local geoscience organizations.

Michal joined the SEG Continuing Education faculty in 1994. She designed the Gravity and Magnetics for Explorationists course at the request of the Society. Michal continues to update and enhance the material annually, presenting both in-house and public courses every year.

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by TGS.

TGS offers a wide range of energy data and insights to meet the industry where it’s at and where it’s headed.

TGS provides scientific data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. In addition to a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, TGS offers specialized services such as advanced processing and analytics alongside cloud-based data applications and solutions. Visit https://www.tgs.com to learn more.

CREDITS

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Dylan Fehrle, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.