#9: Mentoring geoscience leaders

Sue Carr and Patrick Meroney discuss the life of the well from the February 2022 special section in The Leading Edge. Sue and Patrick discuss the importance of a shared definition of a well, spotlight the most important well component for geophysicists, highlight the five life cycles of a well, and break down why well logs are the key piece for successful drilling. This conversation will help geophysicists better connect their work across the entire production chain and support their work in being more useful and practical to others. Sue Carr is Solutions Manager, Subsurface Consulting at Katalyst Data Management. Patrick Meroney is Vice President, US Operations and Professional Services at Katalyst Data Management. Visit https://seg.org/podcast to read the full show notes and find the full archive for Seismic Soundoff. RELATED LINKS * Chester J. Weiss, Michael J. Wilt, and Tom Daley, (2022), "Introduction to this special section: Life of the well," The Leading Edge 41: 82–82. (https://library.seg.org/doi/10.1190/tle41020082.1) * Read the special section: Life of the well (https://library.seg.org/toc/leedff/41/2) SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Geospace Technologies. As the leading innovator and manufacturer of wireless seismic data acquisition systems, Geospace Technologies offers a series of seabed, wireless seismic data acquisition systems designed for extended-duration seabed seismic data acquisition. Geospace is committed to setting new standards for quality, performance, reliability and cost savings to E&P companies and marine geophysical contractors. CREDITS SEG produces Seismic Soundoff to benefit its members, the scientific community, and inform the public on the value of geophysics. To show your support for the show, please leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It takes less than five seconds to leave a 5-star rating and is the number one action you can take to show your appreciation for this free resource. You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Original music created by Zach Bridges. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

10 Feb 202215min

Amine Ourabah discusses carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) from the January 2022 special section on seismic acquisition in The Leading Edge. Amine explains why CCUS is at the center of the net-zero-emission conversation, the need for cheaper and easier-to-use technology, and the unique innovations explored in his field trial. This conversation lays out the seismic and technological needs and innovations to move carbon capture and renewable energies forward. Visit https://seg.org/podcast to read the full show notes and find the full archive for Seismic Soundoff. RELATED LINKS * Keith Millis, Guillaume Richard, and Chengbo Li, (2022), "Introduction to this special section: Seismic acquisition," The Leading Edge 41: 8–8. (https://doi.org/10.1190/tle41010008.1) * Amine Ourabah and Allan Chatenay, (2022), "Unlocking ultra-high-density seismic for CCUS applications by combining nimble nodes and agile source technologies," The Leading Edge 41: 27–33. (https://doi.org/10.1190/tle41010027.1) * Read the special section: Seismic acquisition (https://library.seg.org/toc/leedff/41/1) BIOGRAPHY Amine Ourabah is Head of Processing at STRYDE. His main role is to pass on R&D experience to the new development team, ensure seismic data integrity, provide clients with expertise on HD land seismic acquisition and processing, and lead external technical communications and collaborations to deliver the best quality service to our clients. In parallel, he is building processing capabilities to respond to clients' demands for faster turnaround and more affordable processing fees, especially in the non-oil and gas industries. SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Geospace Technologies. As the leading innovator and manufacturer of wireless seismic data acquisition systems, Geospace Technologies offers a series of seabed, wireless seismic data acquisition systems designed for extended-duration seabed seismic data acquisition. Geospace is committed to setting new standards for quality, performance, reliability and cost savings to E&P companies and marine geophysical contractors. CREDITS SEG produces Seismic Soundoff to benefit its members, the scientific community, and inform the public on the value of geophysics. To show your support for the show, please leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It takes less than five seconds to leave a 5-star rating and is the number one action you can take to show your appreciation for this free resource. You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Original music created by Zach Bridges. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

3 Feb 202215min

Laura Bandura discusses her 2022 Distinguished Lecture, "Quantifying the Business Impact of Seismic Technology to Deepwater Exploration." In a low oil price environment, it is more important than ever to prioritize technology projects to ensure the greatest return on investment. There is much pressure to accelerate the time-to-impact of corporate research and technology programs. In many cases, the geoscientists who are developing these breakthrough technologies are expected to demonstrate the value of these initiatives, which requires both a high degree of subject matter expertise and business fluency. In this practical conversation, Laura and host Andrew Geary showcase how to communicate technological value and your expertise to decision-makers. Laura shares how to tie your work to financial metrics, the power of simplicity and brevity, and how geoscientists can better understand decision-makers. This episode provides a useful practicum to maximize the scientist's knowledge and expertise to make a difference. RELATED LINKS * Learn more about Laura's free Distinguished Lecture (https://seg.org/Education/Lectures/Distinguished-Lectures/2022-DL-Laura-Bandura) * Discover SEG on Demand (https://seg.org/Education/SEG-on-Demand) * See the full archive of the SEG podcast (https://seg.org/podcast) BIOGRAPHY Laura Bandura advises on strategy and performance improvement opportunities across the value chain within the Chevron Gulf of Mexico Business Unit. Laura has had a diverse career in her nine years at Chevron pioneering applications of machine learning to seismic imaging and interpretation, and cross-functional digital portfolio management. Prior to Chevron, Laura was a physicist at Argonne National Lab and the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University, specializing in charged particle beam dynamics with applications to nuclear physics. She co-designed the fragment separator at FRIB, which is used to isolate and discover new isotopes. Laura has published research articles and patented inventions across a variety of fields, including geophysics, machine learning, nuclear science, and charged particle beam dynamics. She received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Physics from Northern Illinois University and B.S. in Biology from Aurora University. CREDITS SEG produces Seismic Soundoff to benefit its members, the scientific community, and inform the public on the value of geophysics. To show your support for the show, please leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It takes less than five seconds to leave a 5-star rating and is the number one action you can take to show your appreciation for this free resource. You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Original music created by Zach Bridges. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

20 Jan 202218min

Danilo Jotta Ariza Ferreira discusses modern geostatistic methodologies from the December 2021 special section on Latin America in The Leading Edge. Danilo shares how to avoid two common pitfalls in geostatistical modeling, why models are always wrong (but you should still use them), and highlights a few innovations in seismic-based geophysical solutions. This conversation will help geophysicists working in Latin America, those using modern modeling techniques, and those looking to connect modern research to their work, no matter the location. Visit https://seg.org/podcast to read the full show notes and find the full archive for Seismic Soundoff. RELATED LINKS * Antonio J. Velásquez, Wagner Moreira Lupinacci, and Carlos Eduardo Molinares, (2021), "Introduction to this special section: Latin America," The Leading Edge 40: 874–874. (https://doi.org/10.1190/tle40120874.1) * Danilo Jotta Ariza Ferreira, Gabriella Martins Baptista de Oliveira, Thais Mallet Castro, Raquel Macedo Dias, and Wagner Moreira Lupinacci, (2021), "Geostatistics assisted by machine learning for reservoir property modeling: A case study in presalt carbonates of Buzios Field, Brazil," The Leading Edge 40: 876–885. (https://doi.org/10.1190/tle40120876.1) * Read the special section: Latin America (https://library.seg.org/toc/leedff/40/12) CREDITS SEG produces Seismic Soundoff to benefit its members, the scientific community, and inform the public on the value of geophysics. To show your support for the show, please leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It takes less than five seconds to leave a 5-star rating and is the number one action you can take to show your appreciation for this free resource. You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Original music created by Zach Bridges. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

13 Jan 202219min

Klaus Holliger discusses his 2022 Honorary Lecture, "Using Near-Surface Geophysics to Estimate Soil and Rock Physical Properties." The shallow subsurface contains our drinking water and produces our food, and it is also where we ultimately discharge much of our waste. Recent history has taught us that overuse, let alone abuse, of our environment, may lead to the long-term detriment to our livelihood. The protection and sustainable use of this fragile surficial environment has therefore become a societal and political issue of critical importance. Near-surface geophysics has an essential role to play in this endeavor. Klaus and host Andrew Geary explore near-surface geophysics using Klaus's Honorary Lecture as a starting point. They discuss the advantages of geostatistical techniques and two approaches to relating easy-to-measure geophysical data to more elusive rock and soil physical properties. This episode showcases the value of near-surface geophysics to the public and highlights cutting-edge techniques to better understand what's happening under our feet. RELATED LINKS * Learn more about Klaus's free Honorary Lecture (https://seg.org/Education/Lectures/Honorary-Lectures/2022-HL-Klaus-Holliger) * Discover SEG on Demand (https://seg.org/Education/SEG-on-Demand) * See the full archive of the SEG podcast (https://seg.org/podcast) BIOGRAPHY Klaus Holliger received MSc and Ph.D. degrees in geophysics from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, as well as a postgraduate degree in economics from the University of London. After a postdoc at Rice University in Houston, Texas, he joined ETH Zurich's newly founded Applied and Environmental Geophysics Group. He then moved to a chaired professorship at the University of Lausanne, where he served as vice-dean of research, head of the Institute of Geophysics, and head of the Center for Research of the Terrestrial Environment. He also holds adjunct-type professorships at ETH Zurich and Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. In addition to earlier distinctions, Klaus has received SEG’s Harold Money and Frank Frischknecht Leadership Awards for his more recent work. As a founding member of the Applied and Environmental Geophysics Group of ETH Zurich, he also shared SEG’s Distinguished Service Award. Klaus has served as president of the Near Surface Geophysics Section of SEG, as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Applied Geophysics, as associate editor of GEOPHYSICS, Water Resources Research, Geology, and Solid Earth, and as co-editor of several books and special issues. His primary research interest is hydrogeophysics sensu lato. CREDITS SEG produces Seismic Soundoff to benefit its members, the scientific community, and inform the public on the value of geophysics. To show your support for the show, please leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It takes less than five seconds to leave a 5-star rating and is the number one action you can take to show your appreciation for this free resource. You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Original music created by Zach Bridges. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.

6 Jan 202213min

Joe Dellinger discusses his 2022 Distinguished Instructor Short Course, "Forensic data processing." Are you a geophysicist that processes seismic data, or someone who uses the processed results of that data? If so, you probably think of seismic data as something that arrives on a tape or "from the cloud." However, your data also has other, hidden stories to tell - stories that likely were shredded and lost when you chopped the data into traces and fed it into your algorithms for processing. We typically call anything our algorithms are not designed to deal with "noise." Can we make use of such "noise," or at least better understand it? If we understood it, could we do something useful with it (or at least have a better idea of how to suppress it)? The goal of Joe's course - and this conversation - is to get you thinking more critically about your data. How was it recorded? What is in it? What happened to it on the way from the field to numbers in a file? Joe brings his experience, expertise, wisdom, and humor to this essential conversation on data that will be valuable for every geophysicist. Start the new year with the fresh insights presented in this episode. RELATED LINKS * Learn more about Joe's DISC (https://seg.org/Education/Courses/DISC/2022-DISC-joe-dellinger) * Watch the 2016 DISC: Forensic data processing - Revealing your data's hidden stories (https://seg.org/Education/Lectures/Distinguished-Lectures/2016-DL-Dellinger/Recording) * Discover SEG on Demand (https://seg.org/Education/SEG-on-Demand) BIOGRAPHY Joe Dellinger received a Ph.D. in 1991 from Jon Claerbout’s Stanford Exploration Project. He then did a three-year post-doc at the University of Hawaii before joining Amoco in Tulsa in 1994. He moved to BP in Houston in 1999 and has worked there since. In his career, he has specialized in anisotropy, multi-component algorithms and processing, and most recently investigated the problem of how to record ultra-low frequencies with the goal of enabling inversion algorithms like FWI to resolve complex velocity-model-building challenges in deep-water marine environments. This last challenge required Dellinger to look closely at “useful information in our seismic data that is normally ignored,” i.e., “forensic data processing.” This has included studying the 2006 “Green Canyon” earthquake, investigating how the Valhall Ocean-bottom-cable array might be used between seismic surveys, and characterizing seismic sources and noise in deep-water ocean-bottom Gulf of Mexico data. In the course of that project, BP created a new vibratory low-frequency marine source, Wolfspar®, which proved to be particularly amenable for these studies because it has a precisely known source signature. These learnings became the basis for his Spring 2016 Distinguished Lecture and will be the core of the follow-up 2022 short course. SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by CGG. For over 90 years, CGG’s positive outlook for the future has driven us to constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible. This optimism, combined with new thinking and advanced technologies, helps us solve today’s most complex natural resource, environmental and infrastructure challenges. As this year draws to a close, we’d like to wish SEG and its members every success in 2022. As always, CGG will be there to help you see things differently. Visit https://www.cgg.com/ to learn more. CREDITS Original music by Zach Bridges. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis. You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

16 Dec 202129min

Miguel Bosch discusses his Honorary Lecture, "The new paradigms in seismic inversion." Miguel explains how elastic Full Waveform Inversion and the Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach improve seismic inversion, discusses if data analysis and machine learning are essential to practice inversion, and highlights new tools that will improve the accuracy of inversion. This conversation provides great value and insight into the essential work of inversion. RELATED LINKS * Watch Miguel's course: The New Paradigms in Seismic Inversion (https://www.knowledgette.com/p/the-new-paradigms-in-seismic-inversion) * Discover SEG on Demand (https://seg.org/Education/SEG-on-Demand) * The SEG podcast archive (https://seg.org/podcast) BIOGRAPHY Miguel Bosch’s expertise is in the field of geophysical inversion with a focus on advanced seismic inversion methods and data integration in complex reservoir models. He has worked on inference problems at different earth scales. In the topic of oil and gas reservoir description, he develops services and technology for the upstream oil and gas industry. Miguel has supervised a large number of projects on seismic inversion, reservoir characterization, and integration, and developed advanced technology and software for these fields. His recent research involves focused Full Waveform Inversion and quantitative Knowledge Networks for data integration. He graduated with a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, working with Albert Tarantola, and was a full professor and Head of the Applied Physics Department at the Universidad Central de Venezuela. He is an active member of the SEG, AGU, EAGE, IAMG, AAPG, GSH and serves as associate editor in the area of reservoir geophysics for the journal GEOPHYSICS. He is presently the founder and CEO of Info Geosciences Technology and Services. SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by CGG. When you need accurate estimates of reservoir properties, it all comes down to the details. For more than 90 years, CGG has led the industry in advanced subsurface imaging, providing the best possible input for reservoir characterization. Our proprietary time-lag FWI technology provides detailed and robust velocity models and remarkable FWI imaging results in even the most complex geological settings. Better images, better knowledge, better outcomes: upgrade your reservoir imaging and see things differently with CGG. Visit https://www.cgg.com/ to learn more. CREDITS Original music by Zach Bridges. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis. You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify

9 Dec 202115min

Thomas Finkbeiner discusses geomechanics from the November 2021 special section in The Leading Edge. In this episode, Thomas highlights the link between geophysics and geomechanics in developing renewable and unconventional resources, explores case studies presented in the special section, shares the current state of research on induced seismicity during CO2 injection, and illustrates how geomechanics impacts the entire life cycle of a reservoir. No matter your subject matter expertise, this conversation impacts all topics regarding the oil and gas industry. Thomas Finkbeiner is a Research Professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia) - affiliated with the Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center in the division of physical sciences and engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in geophysics and seismology from Stanford University. Visit https://seg.org/podcast to read the full show notes and all the past episodes of Seismic Soundoff. RELATED LINKS * Thomas Finkbeiner and Arpita P. Bathija, (2021), "Introduction to this special section: Geomechanics," The Leading Edge 40: 792–792. (https://doi.org/10.1190/tle40110792.1) * Ahmad Ramdani, Thomas Finkbeiner, Viswasanthi Chandra, Pankaj Khanna, Sherif Hanafy, and Volker Vahrenkamp, (2021), "Multiattribute probabilistic neural network for near-surface field engineering application," The Leading Edge 40: 794–804. (https://doi.org/10.1190/tle40110794.1) * Read the special section: Geomechanics (Geomechanics) SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by CGG. At CGG, we have a positive outlook for the future—an optimism that drives us to constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible. Blending new thinking and advanced technologies, we help you understand and solve the world’s most complex natural resource, environmental and infrastructure challenges. Let CGG help you to see things differently. Visit https://www.cgg.com/ to learn more. CREDITS Original music by Zach Bridges. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Ted Bakamjian, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis. You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

2 Dec 202118min