A visual assessment of the recovery of 3D seismic lines in the Cooper Basin, South Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 295
Author(s):  
Bridgette Doudy ◽  
David Cockshell
Keyword(s):  
Salt Lake ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Seismic Line ◽  
Recovery Rates ◽  
Prime Concern ◽  
Land Systems ◽  
Seismic Lines ◽  
Cooper Basin

This report examines the recovery rates of 3D seismic lines in the Cooper Basin, SA, 1992–2015. There are now more than 70,103 km of 3D seismic line in the Cooper Basin. There are a variety of impacts caused by seismic exploration, with the visual impact being the prime concern raised by stakeholders. The recovery rates of 3D seismic lines vary between differing land systems. Some land systems, such as dune and floodplain, are dynamic, while others, such as gibber plain, are less so. A historical database consisting of 2,018 videos and photographs was used to score the visibility of seismic lines at various locations and times. A new methodology of visually scoring this data was created, using a scale ranging from 1 (the survey dominates the landscape) to 5 (the survey is no longer visible). Data analysis showed that seismic lines in dune land systems are likely to recover within seven years, seismic lines in floodplain land systems are likely to recover within eight years, and seismic lines in gibber plain land systems are likely to take 10–20 years to recover to a visibility score of 4 or 5. To arrive at a more accurate determination of seismic line recovery in salt lake, wetland and tableland land systems, more extensive data collection is recommended.

NATURAL VERSUS ACTIVE REHABILITATION OF SEISMIC LINES INTHE COOPER BASIN

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 709
Author(s):  
D. Wiltshire
Keyword(s):  
Linear Connection ◽  
Seismic Line ◽  
Control Structures ◽  
Active Intervention ◽  
Land Systems ◽  
Lateral Erosion ◽  
Active Rehabilitation ◽  
Visual Impact ◽  
Seismic Lines ◽  
Cooper Basin

Extensive investigations undertaken in the Cooper Basin during the 1980s reveal that seismic lines prepared in dunefield and floodplain land systems rehabilitated naturally within a reasonable timeframe. It also appeared, however, that lines prepared in the dissected residual and gibber plains land systems would persist virtually indefinitely without active intervention. The principal issues were identified as being the ongoing aesthetic impacts of rocky windrows, ongoing expansion of erosion gullies and scars on hillsides and escarpments.Subsequently, an extensive seismic line restoration program was undertaken in gibber land units, in which graders were used to respread windrows over seismic lines, to install erosion control structures at the head of active gullies and to batter the edges of small erosion gullies. In general, the program was highly successful in reducing the visual impact of seismic lines and speeding the rehabilitation of small gullies.Active rehabilitation of large erosion gullies and scarred escarpments was not attempted, as it was considered that the process would be very expensive and would result in only marginal aesthetic improvements. Subsequent investigations have revealed that the lateral erosion and slumping of erosion gullies will, within a reasonable timeframe, result in the gullies resembling natural drainage features as revegetation occurs and the linear connection with the restored seismic line on the adjoining footslopes disappears.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SEISMIC OPERATIONS IN THE OTWAY BASIN, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 741 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Williams ◽  
A. J. Boulton ◽  
M. Hyde ◽  
A. J. Kinnear ◽  
C. D. Cockshell
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Seismic Line ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Seismic Lines

The Department of Mines and Energy, South Australia (DME) contracted Michael Williams and Associates Pty Ltd to audit the environmental management of seismic exploration operations in the South Australian Otway Basin. The audit was carried out in early 1992 and covered petroleum exploration operators and DME environmental management systems. An innovative field sampling technique was developed to compare the environmental impact of two different seismic line clearing techniques. Recovery of native vegetation as measured by vegetation structure was also quantified.The audit found DME to have a dynamic and integrated environmental management system while company systems varied in standard. Wide consultation assisted the audit process.As a result of clearing for agriculture, native vegetation covers only six per cent of the Otway Basin. With the strict limitations to broad-scale vegetation clearance since the mid-1980s and the cessation since 1991, the greatest environmental impact of seismic exploration is the clearance of native vegetation for access by seismic vehicles. Native vegetation structure and associated abiotic variables on seismic lines and adjacent control sites, were subject to a classification and ordination analysis which compared the impact of seismic lines constructed by bulldozer or Hydro-ax (industrial slasher). Post-seismic recovery rates of three different vegetation associations were also determined. This analytical technique permits the effects of seismic line clearance to be compared with the natural variability of specific vegetation associations within a region. In interpreting the results however, there is a confounding effect of line type and year as most of the more recent seismic lines were constructed using a Hydro-ax. Results indicate that Hydro-ax clearing affects vegetation structure less than bulldozing. Most Hydro-ax sites recovered within a few years whereas some sites, bulldozed as early as 1971, particularly tussock grasslands, have not yet recovered.This study provides a significant break-through in the debate about the persistence of seismic impacts on native vegetation. As a rapid preliminary assessment, sampling vegetation structure rather than floristics, provides a cost-effective audit and monitoring technique which can be used by non-specialists in a range of petroleum exploration environments. Any significant structural differences may require more detailed analysis to determine if floristic composition also differed.

A SEISMIC MODEL OF FAULTS IN THE COOPER BASIN

1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
R. J. Gray ◽  
D. C. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Hanging Wall ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Shadow Zone ◽  
Seismic Line ◽  
Seismic Section ◽  
Seismic Modelling ◽  
Geological Cross Section ◽  
Major Fault ◽  
Seismic Lines ◽  
Cooper Basin

A synthetic seismic section was modelled to help in the interpretation of Cooper Basin seismic lines which cross major faults and exhibit shadow zones.A major fault bounding the northwest flank of the Packsaddle Structure in the Merrimelia-Innamincka Farmout Block in South Australia was selected for modelling. A geological cross-section postulated on the basis of wells on either side of the fault was fed into the seismic modelling package AIMS (Advanced Interpretive Modelling System — licensed by Geoquest International Inc.) to produce a synthetic seismic line. This synthetic line provided a realistic match with an actual seismic line across the fault. Pre-stack migration of the actual seismic data is suggested to provide additional evidence for the reliability of the model.The shadow zone in the synthetic section is caused by dipping events in the fault shadow zone created by compaction of the Toolachee and Patchawarra Formations along the hanging wall of the fault plane. The dipping events cause reflected energy to be detected outside the fault zone. The large component of compaction within the Permian section is largely ascribed to thick coal horizons. The possibility of petroleum traps in the hanging wall of the fault is inferred and drilling is recommended.

High Density 3D Seismic Exploration Example in Daqing Oilfield

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Yuhua ◽  
Liu Zhenkuan ◽  
Jiang Hongliang
Keyword(s):  
High Density ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
3D Seismic

Exploring for stratigraphic traps in the Patchawarra Formation, Cooper Basin: an integrated seismic methodology

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 779
Author(s):  
Alexandra Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Seismic Resolution ◽  
Seismic Reflectivity ◽  
Seismic Area ◽  
Cooper Basin

The Patchawarra Formation is characterised by Permian aged fluvial sediments. The conventional hydrocarbon play lies within fluvial sandstones, attributed to point bar deposits and splays, that are typically overlain by floodbank deposits of shales, mudstones and coals. The nature of the deposition of these sands has resulted in the discovery of stratigraphic traps across the Western Flank of the Cooper Basin, South Australia. Various seismic techniques are being used to search for and identify these traps. High seismic reflectivity of the coals with the low reflectivity of the relatively thin sands, often below seismic resolution, masks a reservoir response. These factors, combined with complex geometry of these reservoirs, prove a difficult play to image and interpret. Standard seismic interpretation has proven challenging when attempting to map fluvial sands. Active project examples within a 196 km2 3D seismic survey detail an evolving seismic interpretation methodology, which is being used to improve the delineation of potential stratigraphic traps. This involves an integration of seismic processing, package mapping, seismic attributes and imaging techniques. The integrated seismic interpretation methodology has proven to be a successful approach in the discovery of stratigraphic and structural-stratigraphic combination traps in parts of the Cooper Basin and is being used to extend the play northwards into the 3D seismic area discussed.

scholarly journals CO2 uptake decreased and CH4 emissions increased in first two years of peatland seismic line restoration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Schmidt ◽  
Scott J. Davidson ◽  
Maria Strack
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Seismic Line ◽  
Oil And Gas Exploration ◽  
Net Productivity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Seismic Lines ◽  
Reference Areas

Abstract Oil and gas exploration has resulted in over 300,000 km of linear disturbances known as seismic lines, throughout boreal peatlands across Canada. Sites are left with altered hydrologic and topographic conditions that prevent tree re-establishment. Restoration efforts have concentrated on tree recovery through mechanical mounding to re-create microtopography and support planted tree seedlings to block sightlines and deter predator use, but little is known about the impact of seismic line disturbance or restoration on peatland carbon cycling. This study looked at two mounding treatments and compared carbon dioxide and methane fluxes to untreated lines and natural reference areas in the first two years post-restoration. We found no significant differences in net ecosystem CO2 exchange, but untreated seismic lines were slightly more productive than natural reference areas and mounding treatments. Both restoration treatments increased ecosystem respiration, decreased net productivity by 6–21 gCO2m− 2d− 1, and created areas of increased methane emissions, including an increase in the contribution of ebullition, of up to 2000 mgCH4m− 2d− 1. Further research on this site to assess the longer-term impacts of restoration, as well as application on other sites with varied conditions, will help determine if these restoration practices are effective.

scholarly journals Practice of High-density 3D Seismic Exploration in Tight Oil Exploration in G Area of Central Sichuan

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Tan Rongbiao ◽  
Wang Xiaolan ◽  
Deng Xiaojiang ◽  
Huang Lijuan ◽  
Li Yangjing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Density ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Tight Oil ◽  
Oil Exploration ◽  
3D Seismic

Software for Development of Seismic Models of Rock Masses Employing 2D-3D Seismic Exploration

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.O. Glukhov ◽  
A.I. Kompanets ◽  
A.V. Antsiferov ◽  
V.A. Antsiferov ◽  
L.A. Kamburova
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Rock Masses ◽  
Seismic Models
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