The Beaufort Sea seismic section shown on this page was reprocessed by GeoCenter, Inc.This line was shot across the southern flank of the Hammerhead Field in 1977. The line shows a structural trap in the Tertiary formation which has trapped oil. See how the character of the seismic wavelet at 1.4 seconds between SP 550 and SP 680 has changed. This horizon exhibits "bright spot" characteristics. Subsequent drilling by Union Oil of California proved the existence of oil in the formation. This method has been used to find many structural traps which contain oil and gas.
Modern exploration techniques include 3-D seismic (using p and s waves),ground penetrating radar (GPR), gravity and magnetics, electrical and geochemcal surveys. The most widely used technique for deep (>20m below surface) is reflection seismic. For more detailed sampling we use sonar or GPR along with geotechnical drilling for sampling and measuring rock proerties.
This webpage is authored by Svitzer Surveys, Houston, TX (713) 526-6832 with technical help from Steve Stephens Got feedback? WebMan
Artwork on this page originally acquired by the USGS July 1977 and the reprocessed display is Copyright Geonetwork Corporation, 1995, used with permission Svitzer Surveys is a Texas Corporation based in Houston and is no longer affiliated with Svitzer Limited of Great Yarmouth, now Fugro SL, nor Svitzer Surveys of Esjberg, Denmark.
Hits to Date: 