Challenges
Many frigid exploration and production areas are characterized by environmentally sensitive tundra and marshy, muskeg conditions that require seismic data to be acquired when the ground is frozen.
Seismic equipment and processing techniques that work well in warmer climates often do not work well in very cold areas, are not efficient or result in severe imaging problems. Acquisition seasons are limited, every day counts and improving operational efficiency means that contractors can acquire more data during the short season. Shallow, highly variable, high velocity zones make imaging difficult and require new survey design approaches, sensor technology, and processing techniques.
With the opening of new exploration and development opportunities in Russia and with North American natural gas demand driving exploration and development in Alaska and northern Canada, the oil and gas industry requires imaging technology that solves critical imaging and operational challenges:
- Acquiring high quality images in areas characterized by extreme near-surface velocity variations
- Maintaining efficient and reliable field operations in bitterly cold environments with large temperature variations
- Reducing the environmental impact of field operations in sensitive tundra areas
- Improving field crew efficiency
- Minimizing crew personnel to reduce HSE exposure
Solutions
Combinations of innovative field acquisition techniques and processing technologies are necessary to solve cold climate operational and imaging challenges. These must be supported by acquisition equipment thoroughly tested and certified for cold weather operating conditions. ION offers a broad range of products and technologies that are designed to enhance image quality and sustain field productivity in frigid weather settings, including:
