Three-Dimensional Methods in Seismic Exploration
Robert Graebner 1,
Cam Wason 2, and
Hans Meinardus 3
1 Vice president and head of strategic marketing for the Science Services Division, Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas 75265
2 Vice president and manager of the Research Department of Geophysical Service Incorporated
3 Senior member of the technical staff of Texas Instruments Incorporated
Two-dimensional seismic prospecting methods are inadequate to solve the three-dimensional geological problems that arise in petroleum exploration. The three-dimensional seismic technique is a data collection and processing system that samples the subsurface adequately. The structure and lithology of rocks are mapped accurately by imaging their acoustic reflectivity with the scalar wave equation. In oil industry economics, the expense of three-dimensional seismic methods is justified by their usefulness for discovering additional reserves and for reducing the growing costs of developing oil and gas fields.
