Seismic Mapping
Advances in seismic mapping and imaging technology have made exploration efforts for oil and gas more effective, a factor that helped enable the U.S. Shale Revolution. Ultra-sensitive sound-emitting devices, called geophones, help seismologists bounce sound waves off underground rock formations to uncover hydrocarbon reservoirs. The resulting echoes are recorded and converted into three-dimensional maps that are then analyzed by supercomputers that help cut down on the time and money costs of exploration.1
Schematic of seismic mapping technology deployed offshore. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Seismic technology has been around for over 80 years, but advances in digital imagery make it more precise than ever, allowing major companies to explore beyond conventional areas of production into shale, deepwater and tar sands. Because this technology is very capital-intensive and requires a high level of expertise, only a few of the world’s major oil companies have the capability to use it. However, as international joint-venture agreements proliferate, technology transfers are likely to follow.2
[1] “Seismic Imaging,” Chevron Corporation (May 2015).
[2] “Marine Seismic Methods,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (December 2011).