Proposed Regional Reconnaissance 2D Seismic Survey Program

Abstract

A reconnaissance 2D reflection surface seismic grid of very long lines of at least 50 miles each is needed to high grade existing drilling prospects and locate new drilling prospects. 3D surface seismic is not as useful for reconnaissance and regional work. 3D seismic surveys usually cover much smaller land areas and are considerably more expensive than 2D data. 3D surface seismic coverage will become applicable once new and commercially viable field discoveries are made and reservoir economics are considered and developments wells are being planned. The 2D surface seismic that appears to exist in the southeast United States is low resolution and fold and very limited in total individual line length. The surveys were typically designed and acquired for drilling prospect delineation by medium and large size operators and oil and gas exploration companies that have explored and drilled in the region. An exception is the COCORP research program mentioned in Chap. 8. Most of the oil company data is proprietary and not part of the public domain; although some of it, the majority of which being 2D, has probably been released by the owners to the market and is available through seismic data brokers for a license fee per linear or square mile (Figs. 14.2, and 14.3).