251: From Noise to Knowledge – Lessons in Geophysics and Innovation w/ Joe Dellinger

"Energy transition is everywhere. It is an underlying trend, and sustainability is something that we have to incorporate into every company's strategy." Sophie Zurquiyah, CEO of Viridien, discusses the transformation of CGG into Viridien. In this episode, we talk about: > The reasons behind CGG's rebranding to Viridien > The significance of technology and quality of service in differentiation in the marketplace > The role of AI and machine learning in enhancing product offerings > The impact of the energy transition on Viridien's goals and strategies > Key trends shaping the future of the oil and gas sector > The influence of being based in the EU on Viridien's business approach > Strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive industry > Sophie's vision for Viridien's future and its evolution over the next decade In this conversation with host Andrew Geary, Sophie highlights the impact of the energy transition on Viridien's strategies and goals and shares her insights on key trends in the oil and gas sector. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the significance of technology in addressing energy security and Sophie's vision for the company's future. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of the oil and gas industry and the role of technology and sustainability in shaping its future. THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY VIRIDIEN Viridien, formerly CGG, is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. Building on a track record of innovation, Viridien continues to serve the energy industry as it accelerates its growth in the low-carbon markets of minerals & mining and carbon storage, as well as in high-performance computing and infrastructure monitoring. Learn how Viridien’s insights, innovations, and solutions can help resolve your complex challenges efficiently and responsibly - and see things differently at https://www.viridiengroup.com/. THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY BLUWARE Bluware is revolutionizing interpretation workflows with its cutting-edge interactive AI technology. Designed for geoscientists, the tool enables rapid and precise seismic interpretation, significantly enhancing decision-making processes. Reduce the time and effort required for repetitive interpretation tasks. Instead, increase operational efficiency and drive better outcomes in exploration and production. Discover the future of geoscience interpretation with Bluware InteractivAI - where advanced technology meets unparalleled performance. Learn more at https://bluware.com. GUEST BIOGRAPHY Sophie Zurquiyah is the Director and Chief Executive Officer of Virdien. She is a graduate of the École Centrale of Paris. She holds a Master’s in Numerical Analysis from Pierre et Marie Curie University (Paris VI) and a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado. LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-228-key-trends-that-will-shape-the-oil-and-gas-industry-w-sophie-zurquiyah/ for Sophie's complete biography and the interview transcript. SHOW CREDITS Andrew Geary at TreasureMint hosted, edited, and produced this episode. The SEG podcast team comprises Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

4 Heinä 202420min

"Understanding the problem is sometimes often more important than getting to a solution." Madhav Vyas and Dr. David Lubo-Robles discuss June's The Leading Edge on subsurface uncertainty. In this episode, we talk about: > Methods for assessing uncertainty in seismic workflows > Significant sources of subsurface uncertainty > How integrating different data sources can reduce subsurface uncertainty > The concept of rugosity and its effect on seismic image resolution > The advantages of using invertible neural networks > How to better communicate uncertainty to stakeholders and management > Emerging technologies and methodologies to reduce subsurface uncertainty In this conversation with host Andrew Geary, Madhav and David explore the complexities of predicting subsurface outcomes and the various sources of uncertainty that geophysicists must address. The discussion highlights how integrating geologic, petrophysical, and geochemical data can help reduce uncertainty and improve decision-making. The episode also covers the impact of interface rugosity on wave propagation, methods for assessing uncertainty in seismic workflows, and the benefits of using invertible neural networks. Madhav also elaborates on how geophysicists can better communicate uncertainty to stakeholders and suggests looking to other industries, like meteorology, for effective communication strategies. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges and solutions related to subsurface uncertainty, the importance of critical thinking in geoscience, and the potential of emerging technologies to improve subsurface predictions. THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY BLUWARE Looking for ways to quickly and efficiently access and analyze seismic data on a global scale? Bluware, a CMG company, overcomes the limitations in existing seismic data formats and streamlines data usability into your existing geoscience workflows through a cloud-native data visualization engine. Extract deeper insights from seismic data faster than ever before to make more informed decisions and reduce exploration risk. Learn how Bluware is shaping the future of energy exploration and production at https://bluware.com. GUEST BIOS David Lubo-Robles is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Oklahoma. David is a geophysicist interested in developing and applying innovative tools using machine learning, quantitative seismic interpretation, and seismic attribute analysis for oil and gas, geothermal reservoir characterization, hydrogen storage, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). His paper, "Quantifying the sensitivity of seismic facies classification to seismic attribute selection: An explainable machine-learning study," was awarded Honorable Mention, Best Paper in Interpretation in 2022. David received his MS and PhD in Geophysics at the University of Oklahoma. Madhav Vyas is an Imaging R&D Adviser and Seismic Technology Principal at BP. He has a BS and MS in Geophysics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and an MS in Geophysics from Stanford University, where he was part of the Stanford Exploration Project, an industry consortium for seismic imaging research. LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-227-how-experts-use-data-and-technology-to-navigate-subsurface-uncertainty/ for the complete interview transcript and the links for June's The Leading Edge. SHOW CREDITS Andrew Geary at TreasureMint hosted, edited, and produced this episode. The SEG podcast team comprises Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis. Transcription and episode summary support provided by Headliner. If you have episode ideas or feedback for the show or want to sponsor a future episode, email the show at podcast@seg.org.

27 Kesä 202425min

"The energy transition has opened many new areas, many new doors, and rock physics is really at the center of that." Dr. Laurent Louis highlights rock physics in May's The Leading Edge. In this episode, we talk about: > How rock physics has improved the field of geophysics > The accuracy and applicability of Asaka's rock physics model > Discovering inaccuracies in Gassmann's equation > The development of modern digital tools for the field of rock physics > Why rock physics can address the challenges of the energy transition In this conversation with host Andrew Geary, Laurent Louis delves into rock physics' transformative impact on geophysics. He explores the development of effective medium models, the challenges of modeling anisotropy and integrating modern digital tools in rock physics. Laurent emphasizes the need for new models to address the energy transition and the importance of collaboration in integrating various technologies. He also highlights the practical challenges and future directions for rock physics, urging listeners to embrace doubt and pursue discovery. Take advantage of this deep dive into the latest trends in rock physics, its historical challenges, and why now is the perfect time to focus on rock physics. Laurent Louis is a geological consultant at Aramco Research Center. He holds a PhD in rock physics from CY Cergy Paris Université. LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-226-rock-physics-in-focus-historical-impact-future-challenges/ for the complete interview transcript and the links for May's The Leading Edge. SHOW CREDITS Andrew Geary at TreasureMint hosted, edited, and produced this episode. The SEG podcast team comprises Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis. Transcription and episode summary support provided by Headliner. If you have episode ideas or feedback for the show or want to sponsor a future episode, email the show at podcast@seg.org.

20 Kesä 202423min

"We (geophysicists) need to look where the markets are rather than expect people to come to us. We have skills, and it's just about finding where we can apply these in the future." Dr. Tim Dean discusses his Honorary Lecture, "Seismic Acquisition and the Energy Transition." In this episode, we talk about: > The evolving applications of seismic acquisition beyond oil and gas > The importance of minerals for the energy transition and the role of seismic in their exploration > Innovations in seismic technology that reduce costs and expand capabilities > Why geophysics is data science - and other ways geophysicists are missing out > The potential of passive seismic techniques in large-scale mineral exploration > The future of seismic monitoring and its role in the subsurface changes > Addressing the decline in geophysics education and the need for broader application awareness > Tim's interest in collecting physical nodes The need for the world to transition away from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources is well established. The seismic exploration industry has long been focused on fossil fuel exploration, so it makes sense that this transition will also impact the industry. However, the movement away from fossil fuels does open up new prospects for the seismic method's application in areas as diverse as geothermal energy and mineral exploration. This episode (and Tim's Honorary Lecture) examines these new applications and discusses the opportunities that are developing for the method's application and their likely impact on future developments. In this conversation with host Andrew Geary, Tim emphasizes the unparalleled imaging capabilities of seismic methods and their critical role in identifying deeper mineral deposits essential for the energy transition. Tim also discusses the challenges and opportunities in applying seismic methods to hard rock environments, the economic differences between the oil and gas and minerals industries, and the importance of evolving geophysical education to meet future demands. He advocates for geophysicists to proactively engage with other industries to showcase the value of their expertise and technologies. No matter where you are on your geophysics journey, this episode is a must-listen. This conversation is challenging and insightful and may just save geophysics. LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-225-how-to-keep-geophysics-relevant-w-tim-dean/ for the complete interview transcript and to register for Tim's Honorary Lecture on 27 June. GUEST BIO Tim Dean is a specialist project geoscientist for Anglo American Steel Making Coal in Australia. He graduated from Curtin University with a BSc in Geophysics in 1998. He worked in onboard marine data processing for a year for Western Geophysical before returning to Curtin University to complete his Honors, followed by a PhD in Physics at the University of New South Wales. He then enjoyed an extensive career within WesternGeco and SLB, working in various roles, including field operations, software development, and research in Saudi Arabia, England, Norway, and Australia. His final position within SLB was as principal research geophysicist at the Schlumberger Fibre-Optic Technology Centre, where he worked on distributed acoustic sensing. He then joined HawkEye Technology (a division of Sony) as a project advisor before returning to Australia in 2016 to join the Department of Exploration Geophysics at Curtin University. He returned to industry in 2019, joining BHP Coal before moving to Anglo American in 2022. His research interests include land acquisition - particularly vibroseis sources - and survey design, land data processing, and distributed fibre-optic sensing. SHOW CREDITS Andrew Geary at TreasureMint hosted, edited, and produced this episode. If you have episode ideas or feedback for the show or want to sponsor a future episode, email the show at podcast@seg.org.

13 Kesä 202428min

"With ​every ​new ​acquisition, ​spend ​2% ​of ​your ​budget ​to ​do ​research ​to ​understand the ​noise ​and ​signal ​drivers ​in ​your ​area. ​It ​might ​help ​any ​future ​neighboring ​acquisition, ​or ​it ​might ​just ​help ​the ​field ​in ​general, ​​which ​you ​and ​your ​career ​will ​benefit ​from." Dr. Christof Stork discusses his Distinguished Lecture, "How Does the Thin Near Surface of the Earth Produce up to 100 Times More Noise on Land Seismic Data than on Marine Data?". OVERVIEW > The significance of addressing noise in near-surface land seismic data > The interplay of theoretical and practical approaches in seismic noise reduction > The importance of coherent noise removal before statistical noise removal > The limitations and future potential of FWI in land seismic > The role of research and development in improving land seismic data quality > The impact of corporate and economic structures on seismic research investment Along with host Andrew Geary, Christof delves into the intricate world of land seismic noise. Noise is a significant challenge in land seismic data that has long been overlooked. Christof focuses on the complexities of land seismic noise and innovative methods to address it. Christof's journey into addressing land seismic noise began with his fascination for land data and its significant yet under-researched impact on seismic imaging. Despite the advancements in marine processing and pre-stack depth migration, land seismic methods have yet to see comparable progress. He emphasizes the need for more attention and funding in this area, highlighting how crucial it is for improving seismic data quality. Christof also illuminates the concept of "poor coupling," a term that describes the disconnect between surface geophones and the wave field at greater depths. He argues that understanding the physics behind poor coupling can lead to better signal extraction and improved seismic data quality. One key takeaway from Christof's discussion is the importance of combining theoretical and practical approaches to tackle land seismic noise. He explains that while traditional methods rely heavily on statistical noise removal, this is limited in effectiveness. Instead, Christof advocates for a focus on coherent noise removal, which can significantly enhance the effectiveness of statistical methods and reduce the need for excessive data collection. Christof's passion for land seismic research is evident as he calls for more investment in R&D from both the industry and academic communities. He stresses the potential benefits of dedicating a small percentage of acquisition budgets to research and creative experimentation, which could lead to significant advancements in seismic imaging. Listeners will better understand why land seismic noise remains a complex problem and the potential pathways to progress. LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-224-the-physics-behind-land-seismic-noise-christof-stork/ for the complete interview transcript and to register for the DL. GUEST BIO Christof Stork started as a theoretical academic with a PhD in geophysics from Caltech and a post-doc from Stanford 36 years ago. He performed early leading work in reflection tomography, PSDM, WEM, RTM, and FWI before they became mainstream technologies. Ten years ago, he decided to take on noisy land seismic data where more than theory is needed. Christof has been involved with four startup companies in his quest to avoid Houston and make theory commercially viable. He’s now on his fifth, last, and craziest startup company, a land seismic processing company so that he can get his hands on more land data. SHOW CREDITS Andrew Geary at TreasureMint hosted, edited, and produced this episode. The SEG podcast team comprises Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis. If you have episode ideas or feedback for the show or want to sponsor a future episode, email the show at podcast@seg.org.

6 Kesä 202423min

"In the realm of applied geophysics, we have a lot of knowledge, a lot of skills, a lot of experience in dealing with the subsurface, which translates quite well into carbon capture and storage applications." SEG Europe Regional Advisory Committee members discuss the 4th Net-Zero Emissions annual virtual workshop. OVERVIEW > Why it's important to work towards a net-zero emissions future > The role of geophysicists in addressing net-zero challenges > The business opportunities and challenges associated with carbon capture and storage > Why SEG is an effective forum for communication and education Host Andrew Geary delves into the critical role geophysicists play in achieving net-zero emissions with guests Emin Sadikov, Antony Price, and Adriana Citlali Ramírez. They discuss the importance of repurposing knowledge, adapting skill sets, and contributing to carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology innovations. Learn about the industry's challenges and opportunities, the economic implications, and the importance of global cooperation in addressing climate change. For this year's 4th Net-Zero Emissions annual virtual workshop, the organizers will bring together regulators and policymakers, operators, vendors, and academia to have a fruitful discussion on challenges and obstacles and how geoscientists can collaborate to overcome them. In addition, prominent key speakers across Europe will highlight the most successful net-zero journeys across the industry. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to share your case studies, challenges, and proposed solutions. Register for the workshop using the links below. LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-223-innovating-for-a-sustainable-future-with-geophysics/ for the complete interview transcript and to register for the workshop. GUEST BIOS Emin Sadikhov joined Equinor in 2010 to work with seismic data processing and analysis, mainly focusing on ocean bottom seismic and time-lapse monitoring. Since 2023, Emin has chaired the SEG Europe Regional Advisory Committee. His passions are innovation, communication, and knowledge sharing. Adriana Citlali Ramírez is the Chief Geophysicist and Senior Director at TGS. She holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Houston’s Mission-Oriented Seismic Research Program. Antony Price is a senior geophysical specialist at TotalEnergies based in Pau, France, with over 30 years of experience in various activities, from acquisition to interpretation and reservoir modeling. Antony has been a member of the SEG for over 20 years and with the SEG Europe Regional Advisory Committee since 2017 and is currently the committee's vice-chair. SHOW CREDITS Seismic Soundoff showcases conversations addressing the challenges of energy, water, and climate. SEG creates these episodes to celebrate and inspire the geophysicists of today and tomorrow. If you have episode ideas or feedback for the show or want to sponsor a future episode, email the show at podcast@seg.org. Andrew Geary at TreasureMint hosted, edited and produced this episode. The SEG podcast team comprises Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

30 Touko 202425min

"History is telling us that we're likely to get some new discoveries from introducing seismic into our mixture. Nobody understands mineral deposits like the geoscientists who work on them day in, day out." Dr. Heather Schijns explores the groundbreaking use of hard rock seismic data in mineral exploration with insights from one of the most popular papers at IMAGE 2023. OVERVIEW > The transformative impact of seismic data in identifying deeper mineral deposits and reducing exploration risks > The successful application of advanced processing techniques, like full waveform inversion and Kirchhoff pre-stack depth migration, on the Olympic Dam IOCG deposit > The counterintuitive cost benefits of seismic exploration as mining ventures deeper > The strategic approach to de-risking 3D seismic surveys for business stakeholders > The importance of seismic interpretation in effective mineral exploration and the evolving role of geoscientists in this domain > The potential for seismic methods to enhance safety and reduce high-risk activities in mining Host Andrew Geary and Heather Schijns discuss her expanded abstract, "Sparse 3D seismic survey over the Olympic Dam IOCG deposit." This episode delves into why now is the perfect time for the mining industry to embrace seismic methods, especially as the search for base metal resources deepens and conventional geophysical approaches face limitations. Listeners will be captivated by the journey from a sparse 3D seismic survey to a comprehensive understanding of the Olympic Dam deposit and how this approach paves the way for future exploration strategies. The episode also tackles the critical business aspect of seismic exploration, urging listeners to consider the value and risk reduction seismic data can provide. LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-222-the-seismic-approach-to-mining-geophysics-heather-schijns/ for the complete interview transcript and all the links referenced in the show. BIOGRAPHY Heather Schijns is the Principal Technical Specialist at Teck Resources Limited, supporting Europe/Africa exploration geophysics and generative. She is a geophysicist with experience exploring North and South America, Australia, and Africa for various commodities, including nickel, copper, lead-zinc, and coal. Heather is skilled in a range of geophysical methods, including gravity, magnetics, EM and MT, with expertise in hard rock seismic and rock physics. She's a published researcher with an MSc and PhD in Geophysics from the University of Alberta focused on hard rock seismic and rock physics. SHOW CREDITS Seismic Soundoff showcases conversations addressing the challenges of energy, water, and climate. SEG creates these episodes to celebrate and inspire the geophysicists of today and tomorrow. If you have episode ideas or feedback for the show or want to sponsor a future episode, email the show at podcast@seg.org. Andrew Geary at TreasureMint hosted, edited and produced this episode. The SEG podcast team comprises Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

23 Touko 202422min

"Non-unique does not equal non-valuable when it comes to geophysical solutions." Dr. Irina Filina discusses April's special section on gravity, electrical, and magnetic methods in The Leading Edge. OVERVIEW > A deep dive into common non-seismic geophysical methods and their underutilization > The role of magnetics, gravity, and other methods in complementing seismic data > Case studies showcasing the cost-effectiveness and added value of non-seismic surveys > The significance of terminology and communication in the geophysical community > How non-seismic methods can address the challenges of the energy transition > The importance of curiosity and integrated teaching methods in geoscience education > Opportunities for professionals to expand their knowledge in non-seismic geophysics In a fun and enlightening conversation with host Andrew Geary, this episode delves into the often overlooked but immensely powerful non-seismic geophysical methods. As we unpack April's special section of The Leading Edge, which focuses on gravity, electrical, and magnetic methods, we discover the untapped potential of these techniques in exploring what lies beneath the Earth's surface. Dr. Irina Filina unravels the misconceptions about non-seismic methods, particularly magnetics and gravity, and advocates for their proper use and integration with seismic data. With compelling examples, including a case study from the Gulf of Mexico and a cost-effective survey in the challenging terrains of Antarctica, this episode illustrates how these methods can significantly reduce uncertainty and costs in subsurface exploration. Irina also emphasizes the need for innovative teaching approaches to inspire the next generation of geoscientists to embrace the full spectrum of geophysical tools. This episode is a call to curiosity, urging the geophysical community to broaden their toolkit and approach Earth exploration with an integrative mindset. LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-221-the-untapped-potential-of-non-seismic-methods-irina-filina/ for the complete interview transcript and all the links referenced in the show. BIOGRAPHY Dr. Irina Filina is a Geophysics Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska's Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department. She also leads the UNL Geophysics Research Group. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007 with a PhD in Geophysics. She worked in the petroleum industry for eight years before joining the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2016. SHOW CREDITS Seismic Soundoff showcases conversations addressing the challenges of energy, water, and climate. SEG creates these episodes to celebrate and inspire the geophysicists of today and tomorrow. If you have episode ideas or feedback for the show or want to sponsor a future episode, email the show at podcast@seg.org. Andrew Geary at TreasureMint hosted, edited and produced this episode. The SEG podcast team comprises Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

16 Touko 202423min