Geometrics Inc. Announces the Successful Deployment of Its High-Resolution 3D Seismic Acquisition P-Cable Technology for Special Research Project
San Jose, CA (PRWEB) January 07, 2014 -- In October 2013, the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology’s Dr. Tip Meckel led a crew of 27, including three scientists from the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin, on a 10-day ultra-high-resolution 3D seismic data collection cruise off the Texas coast in the Gulf of Mexico. This activity was funded through DOE-NETL’s carbon sequestration research program and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) as part of the Gulf Coast Carbon Center’s multi-year geologic characterization effort to identify potential CO2 storage sites beneath the Texas portion of the Gulf of Mexico within 10 miles offshore. The seismic data were collected using the new P-Cable system manufactured by Geometrics, which is designed to provide extremely high resolution 3D data for relatively shallow stratigraphic depths (<1500 m). These depths have previously been of secondary interest to the hydrocarbon industry, but are increasing in interest in relation to shallow geohazard identification and understanding subsurface fluid migration processes related to seafloor fluid seeps. The tool provides important data for linking the deepest and shallowest portions of marine stratigraphy. Research interests include structurally-controlled fluid migration, 3D stratigraphic architecture, reservoir morphology analogs, and Cenozoic/Quaternary stratigraphic evolution. See http://www.geometricspcable.com/ for more information on the P-Cable system.
The survey’s objectives were to image subsurface stratigraphy and fault structure above a reservoir interval for a Miocene-age CO2 storage prospect at ~2,000 m depth. Of particular interest is the ability to identify (or not) the occurrence of any shallow faults or indications of prior historic hydrocarbon fluid migration to the seafloor, which may convey interpretations of sealing conditions in the deeper stratigraphy above the prospective reservoir CO2 storage interval. This helped the team evaluate potential long-term risks of CO2 storage. Initial results indicate that the seismic system will be an extremely valuable tool for imaging subsurface volumes in high resolution and identifying, understanding, and reducing risks of offshore storage projects by proving up regional sealing characteristics over large continuous areas. Interest from industry has been building, and acquiring datasets such as these are an important part of developing a variety of anticipated commercial applications of HR3D technologies. Data processing from the October voyage is ongoing and another Gulf of Mexico trip for the current study is planned for 2014. Complete details on the survey can be found here: http://www.geometricspcable.com/Announcement_2013_P-Cable_seismic_survey.pdf.
Founded in 1969, Geometrics Inc. (a division of OYO Corporation) is a world-leading manufacturer of geophysical instruments and sensors headquartered in San Jose, CA. The company's top product lines include seismographs, magnetometers, geo-electrical instruments and security surveillance systems.
Craig Lippus, Geometrics Inc., http://www.geometrics.com, +1 (408) 428-4244, [email protected]
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