A broadband full azimuth land seismic case study from Saudi Arabia using a 100,000 channel recording system at 6 terabytes per day: acquisition and processing lessons learned

Abstract

In 2010, a 100,000 channel point receiver acquisition system was mobilized together with 24 80,000 lb vibrators to improve the characterization of both conventional and unconventional reservoir properties. Using a low frequency sweep design with productivity rates exceeding 8,000 vibration points (VPs) per 24 hours significantly increased the seismic data volume and data rate. Over 6 Tb of seismic data were routinely acquired with critical quality control decision points to maintain the integrity and manage the significant increase in seismic data volume. To ensure that full azimuth signal amplitudes were preserved for all offsets and azimuths, carefully selected true amplitude processing parameters were applied. We present this case history and lessons learned, from this Saudi Arabia project, as part of an ongoing fully integrated broadband acquisition-to-rock mechanics interpretation project.