--> Principles and Practice of Multiline Seismic Acquisition Techniques in Sacramento Valley, California, by Claude Vuillermoz, John A. S. Young, and Allen J. Bertagne; #91024 (1989)

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Principles and Practice of Multiline Seismic Acquisition Techniques in Sacramento Valley, California

Claude Vuillermoz, John A. S. Young, Allen J. Bertagne

The large number of channels available on modern seismic recorders allows increased flexibility in seismic acquisition. In poor data areas, the extra channels may be used to increase spread length and common-depth-point coverage. In structurally or stratigraphically complex areas, the group interval can be reduced to increase subsurface sampling and resolution. In good data areas, such as the majority of the Sacramento Valley, an alternative is to use the extra channels to implement multiline acquisition techniques.

In its simplest form, multiline acquisition involves laying out two parallel receiver lines and shooting on one of the lines. This allows the recording of data from two lines without having to shoot two lines. Costs on a per-mile basis are reduced with a maximum saving where a shothole dynamic source is required. Another use of the twin line approach is to record data beneath inaccessible areas (e.g., rivers, valuable crops, etc). It is possible to extend the concept further to record on three or even more lines if an adequate number of channels are available.

Another multiline approach is to record a stationary cross-spread when shooting a conventional line. This results in the acquisition of the conventional line plus an inexpensive three-dimensional survey centered at the intersection of the conventional line and the cross-spread. Again, it is possible to extend the concept if the recording channels are available.

The cost of implementing multiline approaches is favorable when compared to the cost of drilling wells in northern California. These approaches therefore can be used for exploration of small and elusive objectives or for field development.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91024©1989 AAPG Pacific Section, May 10-12, 1989, Palm Springs, California.