ITF is calling on technology developers to come forward with innovative solutions for enhanced sub-basalt imaging and novel borehole seismic sources, with the potential for successful proposals to receive up to 100% funding.

The organization has issued two global calls for proposals following the identification of continued challenges faced by the oil and gas industry whilst exploring for hydrocarbons.

The sub-basalt imaging call is an invitation for organizations to submit high-quality proposals for research, development and field trials of potential solutions.

Specific areas of interest identified by ITF members requires the development of a three-dimensional, elastic finite difference model, which can be used by the industry to benchmark new acquisition and processing techniques. The challenge has to be tackled using combined geology and geophysics, and the initial model must take into account intrusive and extrusive sill geometries.

Similarly, the borehole seismic sources call has been issued to attract proposals for novel technologies that can address a wide range of applications such as: seismic-while-drilling for exploration and development, as well as downhole sources for cross-well seismic tomography; enhanced reservoir imaging; and permanent reservoir monitoring. A testing program will be prepared at the Michigan Technological University test facility for the successful technologies under the direction of Professor Roger Turpening.

Neil Poxon, managing director for ITF, said, “Finding new and innovative ways of imaging subsurface formations and accurately charting wells is a key research and development priority for oil and gas operators and service companies around the world. Improving the technology in these areas is crucial for the industry as it faces increasingly testing frontiers of exploration.

“By submitting their proposals to ITF, technology developers have the opportunity for their ideas to be reviewed by major oil and gas players and could also secure up to 100% funding to realize their novel technologies, whilst retaining full intellectual property rights.”