Advantages of wide-patch, wide-azimuth ocean-bottom seismic reservoir surveillance

Abstract

A dramatic advance in seabed seismic quality is imminent. Recent application of wide-patch, wide-azimuth, 3D ocean-bottom seismic technology (OBS and OBC) over several BP fields (including Azeri, Gunashli, Clair, Bruce, and Valhall) has improved data quality compared to towed-streamer 3D data. The "wide-azimuth" aspect of this technology is, in particular, opening new breakthroughs in processing, imaging, and interpretation that are simply not achievable using conventional narrow-azimuth OBC or towed-streamer acquisition. © 2008 Society of Exploration Geophysicists.