3D OBC Seismic Survey Geometry Optimization Offshore Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

Abstract

The flexibility of 3D ocean bottom cable (OBC) seismic survey design enables a variety of survey geometries. Among the infinite variations, we naturally seek higher survey efficiency within operational constraints. Therefore, it is important to consider operational constraints placed upon the geophysical requirements by equipment capability and productivity, and to discuss geometry options in order to optimize the geometry of a survey in a field, satisfying not only the geophysical requirements but also the operational constraints. We analyzed several geometry options, such as zippers between panels, source line interleave, flip-flop shooting, outboard shooting and distance separated simultaneous shooting (DS 3 ), to solve limitations in equipment capability, to pursue higher productivity, thus to optimize the survey geometry. We show that this exercise should bring insights into higher survey efficiency within the operational constraints in order to optimize the geometry of a survey in a field.