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Abstract This paper describes how forward modelling of the seismic experiment can be used to test different integrated acquisition and processing strategies, as a single, holistic, system, in an iterative manner. Data processing technology often receives insufficient attention during survey design, in part because the cost of data acquisition dominates the overall budget, and in part because the survey designer assumes standard ‘legacy’ processing will be applied. Some dangers of treating acquisition and processing as separate sequential steps are that the implications of the latest developments in data processing are not fully taken into account, and the designer may also rely on various legacy ‘rules of thumb’ related to assumptions on general data processing requirements. This can lead to an unbalanced design, where the modern contribution of data processing is underestimated, leading to overemphasis on conservative acquisition parameters, which are expensive, and in turn impact the final design.
For example, common practice established in 2D and the early years of 3D seismic was not to have more than 2 adjacent dead traces. This precaution was perfectly valid for low channel count acquisition systems where sparse receiver point spacing could result in 100 to 200 m gaps in the data, which could not be addressed by processing algorithms at the time. Modern high channel count 3D surveys typically have much denser point sampling (12.5 to 25 m). This, combined with recent developments in 5D interpolation techniques, means that not only are these gaps becoming physically smaller but also they can be addressed effectively later on in the data processing. Application of the legacy acquisition rule for modern high channel count acquisition systems, with simultaneous shooting implemented for efficiency, can prove costly as it significantly limits the productivity of the crew.
Many established rules/beliefs/perceptions in the industry have their foundations in acquisition and processing practices and capabilities now many years out of date. Modelling can assist us in the process of change and, to make better decisions in designing an optimum integrated acquisition and processing strategy consistent with state-of-the-art technical capability.
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