A multitude of new wireless systems have been successfully deployed and used in recent 3-D programs around the globe. Taking advantage of the cableless logistics of such a system as well as the reduced cost per channel incurred, most seismic companies have designed 3-D programs that have seen dramatic increases in channel count utilization.

Survey challenges

The efficiencies gained with the use of such systems have allowed operators to increase data acquisition production. But this has put a strain on the other phases of a geophysical operation. When a 3-D program in the US is dissected from start to finish, specific phases can be identified that make up the process. These include design, permitting, surveying, seismic drilling (where applicable), data acquisition, data processing, and data interpretation. Each phase has its own challenges, and generally one phase cannot go forward without the others being successfully completed before it. However, one phase has the greatest impact on a program’s timely success, especially in the US.

As seismic exploration continues to migrate into more frontier and urban areas of the country, the front-end service providers are becoming more critical to the overall success of a 3-D seismic program. Specifically, the permit phase of the seismic process has become the Achilles’ heel. With the increased size of the programs and the difficult logistics facing the permit approval process, the time and resources needed to successfully complete the job have increased dramatically. Throwing additional resources at the issue will have little to no impact on reducing the time needed to finish the job. The result is that, even with the better recording technology and the efficiencies of the data recording phase, the speed of a seismic program will still be limited by its slowest phase – the permitting. With most seismic operations idle crew time can have a seriously damaging effect on company profitability. Most investment analyst discussions pertaining to publicly traded seismic contractors have a recurring theme: disappointment in the delays in execution. Therefore, more companies have committed to a better understanding of how they can manage their front-end services and how to better use the resources available to them.

A proactive approach

The end recipients of a successful seismic program are the oil and gas exploration companies, and their vested interest is paramount to helping solve the issue. The importance of their commitment is integral to paving the way to a trouble-free seismic effort. Since leasing is the initial step in an exploration effort, this process will set the stage for the rest.

One way for E&P companies to alleviate the logjam is to take a proactive approach to their oil and gas lease terms. Too often, permit groups have been surprised by comments from landowners that, according to their lease, a seismic program was not to be conducted. When faced with an uncooperative leaseholder who has refused seismic entry (even though their lease allowed for it), oil companies have been reluctant to exercise their rights to do so. It is a simple process to correct this through restraining orders or court injunctions. Additionally, a simple “nudge” letter from the E&P company can act as a great catalyst to heighten the awareness of all of the uncooperative landowners.

Like a well-trained military platoon, once a leader falls in line, all will follow. It seems the rationale from these companies for the absence of any effort to force their way is predicated upon the attitude that they do not want to make waves with the landowner in the event that further easement (exploration drilling or pipeline right-of-way) is needed. The result of such inaction is a poorly acquired 3-D survey with limited geophysical attributes when imaging the subsurface. It should be noted that there seems to be some frustration internally at the E&P companies because most of the lack of effort comes from their land departments and not from their geology and geophysics groups. Clearly, a united effort from both internal groups could help solve the issue, thereby saving much time and effort and ensuring a well-imaged subsurface 3-D survey. Seismic imaging is critical to all exploration efforts. Seismic imaging can bring inherent value whether a well is drilled or not. If a well is not drilled due to seismic imaging interpretation, those data have brought value to both the oil company and the landowner. With all of the emphasis on environmentally friendly approaches to exploration, ridding the environment of unnecessary dry holes can only support this cause.

As seismic technology continues to develop, the oil and gas industry will need to be constantly aware of certain limitations on its ability to speed up the process. Contractors must continue to reach out to the E&P companies to take a more concerted effort toward seismic programs and to help out where they can since it is likely that the problem of permit limitations will only get more challenging moving into the future.