Seismic Surveys: Here Is How They Work There are many people who are not aware of the term ‘seismic survey’ that has turned out to be a major gizmo of exploring companies in off shore countries. In today’s blog post, we’ll discuss about how seismic surveys work. What Are The Seismic Waves? Actually this survey is carried out by creating a shock wave, which we know as a seismic wave, on the earth’s facade next to a fixed line, with the use of a power source. The shock wave passes through the ground, is imitated by sub-shell formations, and gets back to the front elevation where it is traced by receivers that are recognized as geophones – just like the microphones. In addition, these waves are generated either by minor volatile charges head out in shallow holes, or by huge automobiles outfitted with heave plates that throb on the earth. These waves reflect off of sub-shell formations and get back to the front elevation, and with the time analysis that all this process takes an expert can record sub-shell formations and irregularities and forecast where oil or gas may be trapped in adequate amount for discovery activities. In the recent time, these surveys were carried out next to a particular line on the earth, and their study formed a 2 dimensional image parallel to a segment through the ground under that line, confirming the sub-shell geology by the side of that line. This is mentioned as 2D seismic data. 3D Seismic Line With the invention of computer, geophysicists are capable to take seismic testing to the next level by carrying out 3D seismic tests. Now, the analysis is performed on super desk top computers. Today, nearly every oil & gas exploratory wells are preceded by 3D seismic surveys. Here, the fundamental technique of testing is very similar as for 2D, but rather than a sole line of power source points & receiver points are outlined in a network from corner to corner the land. Professionals are able to carry out the 3D surveys in just about any setting; say in the deep-sea, in floods, and in urban regions as well. What is more, a 3D survey is able to cover up thousands of square miles of earth and may cost from 40 to 100 thousand dollars per square mile or more. So, we can say that the data acquired from such kind of assessment is extremely useful, and if protected from exposé represents a trade secret.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/1WcBhpx