Seismic Soundoff

Get ready to immerse yourself in cutting-edge geoscience technologies and connect with industry experts. In this episode, Wenyi Hu and Ken Tubman join host Andrew Geary to discuss the upcoming IMAGE '24 conference, which promises the largest technical program to date with over 1,200 presentations. In this episode, we talk about: > The expansion and evolution of poster presentations to enhance networking and discussion > The introduction of a geographic focus in the technical program, covering six regions > The benefits of integrating geophysical and geological technologies > The diverse range of exhibitors > Numerous networking opportunities, from informal interactions on the exhibition floor to special events like Geoscientists without Borders > The value of short courses for both early career and seasoned professionals Listeners will gain a comprehensive overview of what to expect at IMAGE '24, from the technical sessions and poster presentations to the exhibition hall and networking events. This episode is a must-listen for anyone planning to attend the conference and looking to maximize their experience. THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY VIRIDIEN (FORMERLY CGG) 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's InteractivAI is a human-powered AI seismic analysis tool, revolutionizing the way geoscientists extract value from seismic data. Unlike traditional seismic interpretation tools that just "check the box" for AI through black box algorithms, InteractivAI puts the interpreter in the driver’s seat by presenting an intuitive, live feedback loop. Users experience a faster and more comprehensive interpretation, leading to higher-confidence decision-making. Learn more at https://bluware.com. THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY KATALYST DATA MANAGEMENT Katalyst Data Management® provides the only integrated, end-to-end subsurface data management solution for the oil and gas industry. Its employees operate in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America and are dedicated to optimizing the value of subsurface data, including seismic and well data. Katalyst enables clients’ digital transformation of E&P data with digitizing services and digital transformation consulting. Learn more at Katalyst Data Management. LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-231-previewing-image-24-the-largest-technical-program-yet/ to register for IMAGE '24 and find the complete interview transcript. * Highlight in the Archives: How to unlock the power of networking - a great conversation to prepare you for IMAGE -> https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-191-how-to-unlock-the-power-of-networking/ 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.

25 Jul 202421min

"Sven showed us that the goal of a presentation is to transfer knowledge and insight, not to show people how smart you are." In this heartfelt episode, we honor the legacy of Sven Treitel, a beloved figure in geophysics and at SEG. Kurt Marfurt and Sam Gray join host Andrew Geary to reflect on Sven's profound impact on their work and the field. In this episode, we talk about: > How a 25 cents coffee subsidy proved an invaluable investment for Amoco > The power and usefulness of the "chicken test" > How the gaming and AI industry of today relates to the oil and gas industry > The groundbreaking contributions of Sven and Enders Robinson, particularly in digital signal processing > Sven's approach to making complex concepts accessible and understandable > Sven's dedication to professional societies and his mentorship beyond Amoco > How Sven's international background shaped his perspectives and interactions > The humor and humility that made Sven a beloved mentor and colleague Listeners will gain a deep appreciation for Sven's lasting contributions to geophysics and his ability to bridge the gap between research and practical application. This episode is a tribute to a geophysical giant whose influence will be felt for generations. GUEST BIOS Kurt J. Marfurt is the recipient of SEG’s highest honor, the Maurice Ewing Medal, awarded to a person deserving of special recognition for making major contributions to the advancement of the science and profession of exploration geophysics. Marfurt is a remarkably productive geophysicist, author, and educator with a distinguished career in academia and the oil and gas industry. After completing his Ph.D. in applied geophysics at Columbia University in 1978 and teaching there, he joined the Amoco Research Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a research geophysicist. During his tenure at Amoco, Marfurt made significant contributions to several processes and patents, particularly the development of seismic attributes. In 1999, Marfurt joined the faculty at the University of Houston, where he served as director of the Allied Geophysical Laboratories. He continued researching seismic imaging, interpretation, and data simulation, notably generating well-used synthetic data sets for the Marmousi model. In 2007, Marfurt joined the faculty of the University of Oklahoma, where he served as the Shultz Professor of Geophysics and is now professor emeritus. He has been involved with SEG as a short course instructor, associate editor of GEOPHYSICS, editor-in-chief of Interpretation, director at large on the SEG Board of Directors, and coauthor of more than 800 papers and abstracts. Samuel Gray received a PhD in Mathematics in 1978, and he joined the oil and gas industry in 1982 at Amoco's Research Lab in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked on seismic imaging, amplitude analysis, and velocity estimation problems. He moved to Amoco Canada in 1994, where the near surface humbled him. He joined Veritas (now CGGVeritas) in 1999. Gray has published and presented widely and has won awards for Best Paper in Geophysics and The Leading Edge, Best Presentation at SEG and CSEG meetings, and Honorable Mention for Best Paper in Geophysics. He has also served several times as an Associate Editor of Geophysics. In 2010, he received the SEG's Reginald Fessenden Award for his work on both the theoretical and practical sides of imaging. He won the SEG Maurice Ewing Medal in 2017. Sam retired as Senior Researcher, Subsurface Imaging, CGG (now Viridien). LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-230-celebrating-sven-a-legacy-of-innovation-and-mentorship-in-geophysics/ for links to Sven's Memorial in TLE, his video interview, the complete interview transcript, and more. SHOW CREDITS Andrew Geary at TreasureMint hosted, edited and produced this episode. The SEG podcast team comprises Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

18 Jul 202431min

"Understanding the problem is sometimes more important than getting to a solution." In this episode, Dr. Eileen Martin, winner of the 2024 J. Clarence Karcher Award, shares actionable advice and resources to help you make a positive impact in your professional environment. In this episode, we talk about: > The definitions of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the context of geophysics > The mission statement of the JEDI Committee and its guiding principles > The challenges and opportunities of a volunteer-driven organization > The JEDI Ambassadors program and its role in promoting JEDI principles > How to question biases and actively support colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds > Practical ways to foster inclusion and belonging in professional settings > The importance of recognizing and nominating diverse talent for awards In this conversation with host Andrew Geary, Eileen Martin elaborates on the JEDI Committee's initiatives, including the JEDI Ambassadors program, which aims to integrate JEDI principles across various SEG committees. Listeners will learn practical steps for promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within their organizations and the broader geophysics community. This episode offers actionable advice and resources to help you make a positive impact in your professional environment. GUEST BIOGRAPHY Dr. Eileen Martin is an associate professor at Colorado School of Mines jointly appointed in geophysics and applied math and statistics. At Mines, she is a part of two industry-aligned consortia: Center for Wave Phenomena and Center to Advance the Science of Exploration to Reclamation in Mining. She earned her PhD from the Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering at Stanford in 2018, where she was a member of the Stanford Exploration Project group and an affiliate in the geophysics department at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. She holds an MS in geophysics from Stanford and a BS with a double major in math and computational physics from UT-Austin. She has earned an NSF CAREER grant (2021), the SIAM Activity Group on Geosciences Early Career Prize (2023), and the SEG J. Clarence Karcher Award (2024). LINKS * Visit https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-229-from-barriers-to-belonging-building-strong-companies-teams-in-geophysics/ for links to the Geoscientists Around the Globe series and the complete 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. 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.

11 Jul 202426min

"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 Jul 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 Jun 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 Jun 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 Jun 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 Jun 202423min