HIGH-REPEATABILITY, LOW-INFILL 4D ACQUISITION

Operator Executing 4D Surveys

CHALLENGE: Minimize infill and acquisition costs over a producing field
without compromising data quality
SOLUTION: Intelligent Acquisition™ [IA] technologies and Acquisition
Optimization Services
RESULTS: 20+% infill reduction while exceeding repeatability requirements

E&P OPERATOR SEEKS TO REDUCE INFILL IN 4D ACQUISITION PROGRAMS

4D monitoring programs are currently being used in more than 140 fields around the world,
but are challenging to execute safely and efficiently. To detect fluid movements, repeatability
ABOUT INTELLIGENT ACQUISITION
of seismic source and receiver positions is critical, but often difficult due to variability
introduced by ocean currents.
ION is leading the next wave of
marine seismic with Intelligent
If the positions are far enough apart from prior surveys that repeatability specifications are Acquisition, an integrated, survey-
not met, the area has to be re-shot. Even parts of traditional 2D or 3D surveys often need to wide approach to optimize offshore
be re-shot as gaps between the line passes or cables may result in under-sampled coverage operations in real time. Combining
in the subsurface horizons being imaged. The process of re-shooting is known as infill, a traditionally independent towed
process that can add 15% or more to the survey cost. Infill not only impacts cost, but also streamer technologies into a
survey duration, adding to HSE risk profiles and delaying the time data becomes available to single, smart system improves
make critical leasing or drilling decisions. safety, efficiency, and data quality.
[IA] predicts sea conditions and
[IA] DESIGNED TO OPTIMIZE 4D SURVEYS IN REAL TIME dynamically positions the spread
As an active consumer of time-lapse seismic for reservoir monitoring, a major E&P operator to ideal parameters while reducing
worked with ION to make their 4D surveys more efficient without compromising data quality. complexity, cycle time and costs.

Traditional 4D surveys attempt to replicate all the survey lines, which often results in Orca command & control software
excessive infill and increasing inefficiency. Our new approach targeted the survey lines that provides advanced capabilities for
provided the most unique subsurface coverage. Advanced prediction software forecasted unprecedented survey-wide control
when ocean currents provided the best chance of acquiring these prioritized lines. As each and data management. DigiFIN, when
line was acquired, source and streamer steering technologies made final adjustments to integrated with Orca, controls lateral
ensure the in-water equipment positions aligned with the specified survey plan. cable positioning to enable tighter,
more uniform streamer separation to
Two of ION’s Intelligent Acquisition [IA] ™ technologies – Orca® and DigiFIN™ – provide the minimizing infill while maximizing 4D
foundation for infill reduction via streamer steering. Orca command & control software repeatability.
acts as the ‘brain’ for complex streamer operations, providing a central, automated point
of control for navigation, positioning, source, recording, and QC data management. DigiFIN Other core technologies within the
provides lateral streamer control to ensure uniform streamer cable separation while, in [IA] portfolio include:
conjunction with Orca, minimizing infill and maximizing repeatability during the survey.
• DigiSTREAMER – integrated data
At the request of the E&P operator, ION’s Concept Systems subsidiary provided a team of acquisition system
on-board Acquisition Optimization Specialists to manage the survey and provide real-time • DigiSHOT - digital source control
recommendations on how to modify operations and control [IA] technology to provide the • DigiRANGE II - acoustic positioning
best chance of achieving the survey plan in the most safe, cost effective manner. • DigiBIRD - vertical depth control

Infill Reduction. Modern seismic operations involve upwards of

twenty streamer cables which can each be 10+ km long. Ideally, the
cables would remain straight and parallel behind the vessel. However,
environmental variables, such as ocean currents, can cause streamer
cables to feather and form irregular shapes. Infill may be required if
subsurface coverage or repeatability is not achieved. Re-shoots are time
consuming for service providers and costly to oil companies. Streamer
steering devices like DigiFIN can move the spread to counteract
ocean currents and maximize coverage. In addition to reducing infill,
streamer steering delivers higher sampling density, more efficient vessel
operations, and lower risk of streamer entanglement.

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[IA] TECHNOLOGIES IMPROVED EFFICIENCY AND REPEATABILITY

The E&P operator benefited from reduced infill, lower acquisition costs, improved cycle
times, and high levels of survey-to-survey repeatability.

• Infill and cost reduction. By prioritizing lines that provided the most unique coverage
and predicting when the ocean currents were optimal to acquire them, the sail line
count was reduced by over 20% and no new infill lines were acquired. Given that infill
normally accounts for 15% or more of total marine survey costs, the E&P operator’s
cost of acquisition was significantly reduced. THE SCOPE OF ION’S INVOLVEMENT

• 4D repeatability. This novel methodology not only reduced infill, but also exceeded ION was involved at every step in
repeatability specifications. By prioritizing lines by unique coverage contribution, planning and executing this efficient
predicting optimal sea conditions, and using streamer steering to fine-tune the 4D survey.
positions, repeatability improved 6%.
We provided advanced marine seismic
technology and collaborated side-by-
• Survey completion. By reducing infill, cycle time was accelerated and increased the side with the operator and the service
likelihood of survey completion during the short acquisition window. provider to optimize acquisition in the
field.
• Risk mitigation. Streamer steering not only improves data quality and productivity,
• Technology provision:
but most importantly, mitigates Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) concerns. - Orca
Seismic acquisition over producing fields introduces unique challenges. Close-pass - DigiFIN
undershoots around rigs and other in-field obstructions were completed safely. Orca - DigiBIRD
automatically generated shooting plans that accounted for multiple vessels passing - DigiRANGE II
through a high-traffic shipping lane. The risk of cable entanglement was mitigated as
• Acquisition Optimization Services:
well by maintaining even streamer separation.
- Survey planning
- Feather predicition
In addition to the above, ION’s [IA] technologies have proven instrumental in helping the E&P - Line selection
industry execute some of the most complex survey geometries in recent years, including - 4D repeatability
numerous wide-azimuth and multi-azimuth programs in major petroleum provinces around optimization
- Onboard data
the world.
management/QC

For several years, ION has worked closely with leading international oil companies and
marine seismic service providers to refine its [IA] portfolio of towed streamer technologies.
As result of collaborative new developments and features, ION has signed multiple long-
term contracts for Orca command & control and is the leading provider of advanced
positioning technologies.

→ What the Client Has to Say

“We were delighted to collaborate more closely
with ION Concept Systems to further enhance
our 4D strengths and maximise value for our
customers. Concept Systems’ new technologies
and techniques enable us to make optimal
acquisition decisions in real-time for unrivaled
project efficiency, safety, and quality.“
- Acquisition Manager, Leading Services Provider

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