Unconventionals Drive Innovation in Seismic Software

Rigzone: What kind of potential do you see for wireless or cableless seismic systems, not just for conventional acquisition but also for shales? Are there other cutting edge seismic acquisition technologies that will be coming on the market in the near future?

Witte: As the industry learns to shoot faster and the battery technology gets better, the wireless system will definitely become a preferred method for collecting data. We are already seeing large shoots in the Permian and elsewhere focusing predominately on the shales.

I think we are also going to see better geophones that are more sensitive and not as prone to picking up noise. This will be imperative as the industry continues to study fracture and micro-fracture patterns.

Rigzone: What areas of the United States present a challenge in terms of gathering seismic data? For example, the Marcellus shale plays has been said to be a tough area topographically for seismic operations. Situations that make cable usage difficult include tree cover, small land parcels and proximity to populated urban areas.

Witte: Each area has its own challenges. As you mentioned the Marcellus has topography challenges as well as being in areas of abandoned coal mines. The Permian Basin has surface rock conditions that make processing the data challenging. Areas in the north have glacial till and issues with moving heavy equipment during certain times of the year.

Rigzone: What are some emerging U.S. shale plays that might prove challenging for the gathering of seismic data? What about global shale plays?

Witte: The international shale plays will be very challenging. Many areas suffer from the lack of basic infrastructure that we take for granted here. Many places lack rigs, hydraulic fracturing crews, seismic crews as well as the lack of pipelines and roads not to mention trained personnel. All these things will have to be resolved before effective development can begin.

The other international challenge will be access to capital and the political challenges that lie ahead for various countries.


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