Tayvis Dunnahoe
CGG and Ardiseis, subsidiary of Arabian Geophysical & Surveying Co. (Argas), have delivered 2,000 sq km of what the partners refer to as reservoir characterization-ready broadband seismic data on the West-Kalbsha survey on behalf of Apache Corp. in Egypt’s Western Desert.
The ultradense survey represents 72 million traces/sq km, which is 2-3 times denser that any survey acquired to date. In what the companies are calling a step-change, CGG deblended the data through an algorithm. The company’s CleanSweep and EmphaSeis acquired low-frequency-rich broadband data starting from 1.5 hz, which is free of the harmonic noise contamination that is known for hindering broadband high-productivity Vibroseis acquisition.
Apache was awarded the West Kalabsha concession in 2004 and has discovered 19 oil fields with current production of 55,000 b/d (OGJ Online, Jan. 30, 2014). “The large volume of 3D seismic data Apache has acquired over the years has limitations for imaging some structures, faults, and stratigraphy,” said Apache’s Egypt region exploration manager Joe Versfelt. The new high-grade survey is “encouraging,” Versfelt added.
The benefits in for this high-density seismic acquisition include reduced costs and more efficient field development. Typical 3D exploration surveys require an initial sparse shoot. Acquisition teams then return later to separately acquire smaller, higher density datasets for field development.
The ultradense survey represents 72 million traces/sq km, which is 2-3 times denser that any survey acquired to date. In what the companies are calling a step-change, CGG deblended the data through an algorithm. The company’s CleanSweep and EmphaSeis acquired low-frequency-rich broadband data starting from 1.5 hz, which is free of the harmonic noise contamination that is known for hindering broadband high-productivity Vibroseis acquisition.
Apache was awarded the West Kalabsha concession in 2004 and has discovered 19 oil fields with current production of 55,000 b/d (OGJ Online, Jan. 30, 2014). “The large volume of 3D seismic data Apache has acquired over the years has limitations for imaging some structures, faults, and stratigraphy,” said Apache’s Egypt region exploration manager Joe Versfelt. The new high-grade survey is “encouraging,” Versfelt added.
The benefits in for this high-density seismic acquisition include reduced costs and more efficient field development. Typical 3D exploration surveys require an initial sparse shoot. Acquisition teams then return later to separately acquire smaller, higher density datasets for field development.
