Seismic Soundoff

In this episode, host Andrew Geary previews the 2019 International Exposition and 89th Annual Meeting. Andrew speaks with the Technical Program Co-Chair on all the educational opportunities, the General Chair on what to expect on the Exhibition Floor, and SEG's new Executive Director highlights what members and attendees can expect in San Antonio. Episode 64 proudly sponsored by TGS.

This year make your way to San Antonio and join geoscience professionals and students from all over the world to network, learn, and grow during one of the most dynamic geophysical events of the year. The Annual Meeting will feature 155 Technical Program sessions, the second year of the Business of Applied Geophysics Plenary Sessions and Juice a Winning Startup, Continuing Education courses, Post-convention Workshops, and more.

Andrew first speaks with the Technical Program Co-Chair Olga Nedorub. He then speaks with General Chair Glenn Winters, and the episode concludes with some brief remarks from SEG's new Executive Director, John Koehr.

There are too many amazing events to feature in this episode. Please visit the Annual Meeting events page to review the full schedule and plan your week. See you in San Antonio!

Read the complete show notes and find the links at https://seg.org/podcast.

Sponsor

TGS is the global gateway to subsurface intelligence from seismic to well data. As a leading geoscience data provider to the energy industry TGS invests in onshore and offshore multi-client data projects in an array of basins worldwide - ranging from new-entry frontier markets to established, mature basins. TGS’ extensive data library portfolio services the entire upstream life cycle from exploration through the appraisal and development stage. Leveraging the breadth of this world-class library TGS enhances the exploration process through advanced analytics and analytics-ready data products. Learn more at https://www.tgs.com/.

Credits

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary. Special thanks to Rhianna Collier and Jenny Cole at the SEG.

In 2016, Dr. Ron Harris of Brigham Young University led a Geoscientists Without Borders team to Java, Indonesia to help prepare the community for the next tsunami. For this special Soundoff episode, we showcase Ron Harris' project in Java through a short, richly produced and narrative-driven story that captures the spirit of GWB.

In Ron's own words, he highlights the moment when his son changed his geoscience career, the simple tool that brought peace to a community, and the power of working together to improve emergency preparedness. This is not just a story about science making a difference, but the role of preparedness in our everyday lives.

Please share this inspirational story with your best friend or closest colleague with this link - https://podfollow.com/1140626640.

Sponsor

Schlumberger strives to be a unifying force for social and environmental stewardship, and engages in philanthropic activities that reflect the company’s values. As the founding sponsor of Geoscientists Without Borders®, Schlumberger believes in the science of geophysics to affect positive changes in communities facing environmental hardship and natural hazards.

Credits

Special thanks to Katie Burk and Linda Ford of the SEG team.

Additional thanks to the students at Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies for their feedback on this episode.

And thank you to Dr. Maya Tolstoy, Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization for providing the recording of the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

Episode produced and edited by Andrew Geary.

In this episode, host Andrew Geary speaks with Heloise Lynn on her upcoming North American Honorary Lecturer tour starting 5 September. Andrew and Heloise discuss Leon Thomsen's famous deck of cards from SEG 1986, the controversy surrounding her recent published paper, how anisotropy can be understood by all geophysicists, what would happen if azimuthal P-P seismic measurements reached its full potential, and more.

This interview isn't to be missed.

Learn more about her tour at https://seg.org/Education/Lectures/Honorary-Lectures/2019-HL-Lynn.

Interviewee biography

Heloise Bloxsom Lynn is a geophysical consultant and instructor with Petroskills and Nautilus World. She started working in seismic reflection data in 1975, processing U.S. onshore data for Texaco in Houston. Lynn worked for Texaco, Amoco, BP, and then in 1984, she and her husband, Walt, formed Lynn Incorporated. Her consulting experience includes working in North America, Hungary, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Australia, Thailand, China, and Japan. She specializes in the use of 3D multiazimuth and/or multicomponent data to obtain structure, lithology, porosity, pore fluids, in-situ stress, and aligned porosity (aka natural fractures). She also includes conventional VSP data processed for split-shear waves in these projects because there is nearly always a source-generated S-wave or a near-source mode-converted S-wave, and/or mode-conversions at impedance boundaries.

In the fall of 2004, she was the SEG/AAPG Distinguished Lecturer, speaking on “The Winds of Change – anisotropic rocks, their preferred direction of fluid flow, and their associated seismic signatures.” She has described her research findings in many oral presentations and in 47 published papers that collectively create an invaluable knowledge base for scientists, researchers, students, teachers, and exploration geophysicists. She earned a BA in geology-math from Bowdoin College, Maine; an MSc in exploration geophysics from Stanford University; and a PhD in geophysics from Stanford University. She is a member of SEG, EAGE, the Geophysical Society of Houston (GSH), AAPG, and SPE.

Credits

Interview: Heloise Lynn

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary. Special thanks to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Crockett, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Apple Podcasts to be the first to know about new episodes!

In this episode, host Andrew Geary speaks with Lynn Sykes on his new book, Plate Tectonics and Great Earthquakes: 50 Years of Earth-Shaking Events. Andrew and Lynn discuss how the theory of plate tectonics transformed earth science and the petroleum industry, how earthquakes are more damaging in the Central and Eastern parts of the United States, the role Maurice Ewing played in plate tectonics and Lynn's career, and more.

Learn more about Dr. Sykes' book at https://cup.columbia.edu/book/plate-tectonics-and-great-earthquakes/9780231186889.

Interviewee biography

Lynn R. Sykes is Higgins Professor Emeritus of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. His application of earthquake science to monitoring underground explosions was crucial to treaties limiting nuclear testing. He is the author of Silencing the Bomb: One Scientist’s Quest to Halt Nuclear Testing and Plate Tectonics and Great Earthquakes: 50 Years of Earth-Shaking Events.

Credits

Interview: Lynn Sykes

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary. Special thanks to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Crockett, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Apple Podcasts to be the first to know about new episodes!

In this episode, host Andrew Geary speaks with Simon Shaw and Arvind Sharma on July's The Leading Edge that highlights machine learning applications. Simon and Arvind discuss what problems machine learning successfully solves, the requirements and limitations of machine learning, what the next five years hold for the topic, and more.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for links to July's special section.

Interviewee biographies

Dr. Arvind Sharma is VP of Data and Analytics at TGS. In this role, he is responsible for Machine Learning initiatives as well as broader Digital transformation. He has over 10 years of experience in various E&P and software related work. Arvind has bachelors and masters degrees in Applied Geology and Exploration Geophysics, respectively from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. He has a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in Geophysics.

Simon Shaw, Principal Geophysicist for ConocoPhillips Company, has more than 20 years’ experience in seismic data processing and geophysical research. He is currently responsible for QA/QC of 3D and 4D seismic imaging projects, and technology development involving the use of machine learning to solve subsurface problems. He holds a B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London (1994), M.S. Applied Ocean Science from the University of Delaware (1997) and a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Houston (2005). Simon received the J. Clarence Karcher Award from the SEG in 2005 for his research into depth imaging using inverse scattering.

Editor's note: Due to Dr. Arvind Sharma's recording location, he is hard to understand at times. Please continue to listen as his contributions to this discussion are invaluable.

Credits

Interview: Simon Shaw, Arvind Sharma

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary. Special thanks to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Crockett, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Apple Podcasts to be the first to know about new episodes!

In this episode, host Andrew Geary speaks with Adam Mangel on June's The Leading Edge highlighting near-surface geophysics. Adam explains the reasons to study the near surface, why it applies to a wide-range of professionals, the practical applications for the field, and why more students should look to near-surface geophysics for their future.

Visit https://seg.org/podcast for links to June's special section and to learn more about the SEG Near-Surface Geophysics Technical Section.

Interviewee biography

Adam Mangel is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Colorado School of Mines. He has a B.S. in Geology with a minor in Mathematics from the University at Buffalo and an M.S. in Hydrogeology and a PhD in Environmental Engineering, both from Clemson University. His current research largely focuses on Hydrogeophysics, i.e. using geophysical methods to study hydrologic processes.

Adam is driven to improve the world's efficacy as stewards of valuable water resources given the threats of climate change to clean water resources compounded by the present scarcity of this vital resource. He also brews his own beer, grows his own food, and works on motorcycles.

Credits

Interview: Adam Mangel

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary. Special thanks to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Crockett, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Apple Podcasts to be the first to know about new episodes!

In this episode, host Andrew Geary speaks with Michael Burianyk on his new book, Understanding Signals: Basic waveform analysis from a geophysical perspective. In this concise and informative book, Michael walks the reader through one of the foundational principles of geophysics in a way all readers can benefit. This book will help inform all aspects of the field - from geologists to programmers to managers to experienced geophysicists. And they also discuss how Fourier Analysis and The Beatles relate. You will want to hear this one.

To read Michael's book, visit https://seg.org/Shop.

Interviewee biography

Michael Burianyk was born and raised on the Canadian Prairies. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a BSc in physics and geophysics, and later received from the same institution an MSc in geological sciences, writing his thesis on seismic data he helped collect on an Arctic ice station. Next, he earned a PhD in geophysics from the University of Alberta, studying the crust and lithosphere of western Canada, planning and participating in several LITHOPROBE field programs.

After spending time in academic research, he moved to the petroleum industry where he gained expertise in amplitude vs. offset methods, seismic inversion, rock physics, and seismic petrophysics with Core Labs and later Shell Canada. He lived in The Netherlands for a decade, working with Shell’s R&D group in gravity and magnetics and later in their software development division as a geoscience subject matter expert directing the development of software applications and creating associated workflows for gravity and magnetics, EM, QI seismic, seismic balancing, surface gridding, and geodetics. Currently, he lives in France, creating geophysical educational material and pursuing other writing projects.

Credits

Interview: Michael Burianyk

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Crockett, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney. Special thanks to Susan Stamm.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Apple Podcasts to be the first to know about new episodes!

On this episode of Seismic Soundoff, we start a journey with a team of scientists partnering with a former Inca city in Perú. This small, rural village of 4,000 people in Zurite, Perú all rely on agriculture, but the strong, seasonal climate limits their livelihood six months of the year.

Jasper Oshun, project manager for this Geoscientists Without Borders team, shares a unique history with Zurite that goes back 15 years. His local knowledge, along with his GWB team's expertise and the community's knowledge and effort, will work to build a reservoir and irrigation canal network that will benefit 120 farmers.

But their work seeks to not only directly impact these families, but support each generation of Zuritaneos that come after and contribute to the scientific understanding that will benefit the world.

For photos and aerial footage of Zurite, visit https://seg.org/podcast.

Geoscientists Without Borders®

2018 marked the ten-year anniversary of the SEG Foundation’s Geoscientists Without Borders® program. The program uses the specialized knowledge and technical skills of geoscientists to mitigate natural hazards by connecting universities and industries with local communities.

To support this Zurite project and others like it, please consider making a donation to GWB. As a special consideration to our listeners, the SEG Foundation currently has GWB Matching Funds available. Double your impact today by making a donation. Learn more at https://seg.org/podcast.

Sponsor

Schlumberger strives to be a unifying force for social and environmental stewardship, and engages in philanthropic activities that reflect the company’s values. As the founding sponsor of Geoscientists Without Borders®, Schlumberger believes in the science of geophysics to effect positive changes in communities facing environmental hardship and natural hazards.

Credits

Interviews: Jasper Oshun, Margaret Lang, Kristina Keating, Olivia Helprin, Wyeth Wunderlich, Tomás Ruiz López

Music in the episode courtesy of Epidemic Sound.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary. Special thanks to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Crockett, Ashley Rodriguez, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney with support from Linda Ford and Katie Burk.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Apple Podcasts to be the first to know about new episodes.

And please share this podcast with a friend, colleague, or manager that would enjoy hearing this show. Your recommendation is the single best action you can take on behalf of SEG's podcast.

In this episode, host Andrew Geary speaks with Joel Sarout on May's The Leading Edge exploring rock physics. Joel highlights the nine papers and discusses the common themes and latest advances in this growing topic. He also highlights the case studies from this special section, why new geophysicists should specialize in rock physics, and considers the next advances in rock physics.

Joel Sarout is a Senior Research Scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia, where he currently leads the Rock Properties Team. He is a rock physicist by background and his research interests lie in experimental geophysics and geomechanics, and theoretical modeling of porous/cracked rocks behavior. His technical expertise lies in the experimental and theoretical aspects of rock/fluid interactions, anisotropy, thermal conductivity, rock damage, laboratory and field micro-seismicity, permeability, seismic dispersion and frequency effects. He holds a PhD in Earth Sciences, Rock Physics/Geomechanics from École normale supérieure in Paris, France.

Show notes and links at https://seg.org/podcast.

Credits

Interview: Joel Sarout

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary. Special thanks to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Crockett, Ashley Rodriguez, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Apple Podcasts to be the first to know about new episodes!

In this episode, host Andrew Geary speaks with Satchidananda Rath and Soman Chacko on April's The Leading Edge highlighting the recent oil and gas developments in India. First, Mr. Rath provides an overview of the current geophysical activity in India and where the next advancements might come from. Then Andrew speaks with Dr. Chacko highlighting a few of the eight papers published for this special section, discussing techniques and geophysics utilized in prolific and unexplored basins in India.

Interviewee biographies

Mr. Satchidananda Rath is an upstream petroleum professional with 36 years in oil and gas exploration, drilling, production, and national and international exploration project management. He is a current member of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board in India and retired as Director Operations from Oil India Limited (OIL).

Dr. Soman Chacko is a Consultant Geophysicist with over 36 years of experience in the upstream oil and gas industry. He obtained a Ph.D. in Geophysics from Rice University in Houston, Texas, and then worked for the Exxon Corporation (now ExxonMobil) for 33 years, primarily at international locations. After retiring from ExxonMobil, he was with Cairn India Ltd as Chief Geophysicist for three years before retiring again to be a consultant in Houston. His interests include seismic acquisition, processing, interpretation, and quantitative seismic interpretation.

Editor's note: Dr. Chacko added this comment - "We were very pleased with the large number of papers submitted by so many authors for this special section. We appreciate the participation. It was difficult to short list to the eight that finally made it and to the section. And on behalf of my fellow guest editors, I want to thank The Leading Edge for making possible this special section on India.

Subscribers can read the full articles in the SEG Digital Library at https://library.seg.org/and abstracts are always free. Show notes and links at https://seg.org/podcast.

Credits

Interviews: Satchidananda Rath and Soman Chacko

Original music by Zach Bridges.

This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary. Special thanks to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Crockett, Ashley Rodriguez, Ally McGinnis, and Mick Swiney.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Play, or Apple Podcasts to be the first to know about new episodes!