PELLETIER, KEVIN, Geo-X Systems Ltd., Calgary, Canada

Abstract: Malacca 3D - A Comprehensive Approach to Seismic Acquisition in Transition Zones

A case study of innovative techniques and technology used in an extremely challenging transition zone program acquired in the Malaccan Strait region of Sumatra, Indonesia.

Although this project was nearly antipodal to the Gulf Coast, it is an excellent example of salt-water transition zone and marsh 3D acquisition. In addition to heavy jungle, the project crossed water at depths of up to 50 m, with tidal action of 5 to 7 knots. These conditions would normally have dictated the use of two different acquisition systems for the project, a land / marsh system and a bay-bottom system. This solution introduces several problems to the acquisition contractor. Capital equipment expenditures increase, as the contractor must either rent or purchase two systems. The contractor also faces increased logistics in supporting two systems and training personnel in the use and deployment of two systems. The end user may also face compromises, in that he must merge data sets from what are essentially discrete 3Ds recorded by two different systems. This may introduce geometry errors, inconsistent data quality, and increased data processing costs.

Geo-X Systems' ARAM24 instrument introduced technology, developed in the Gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana, that enabled the contractor to use a single system on the entire project, thereby eliminating the logistical and economic difficulties associated with the two system approach.

This paper outlines the technologies used in response to this very difficult acquisition problem. 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90924©1999 GCAGS Annual Meeting Lafayette, Louisiana