A delegation of 11 SEG members visited the People’s Republic of China (PRC), September 5–27, 1979, in exchange for a visit by an equal number of PRC geophysicists to the U.S., November 1–20, 1979. Represented were 7 U.S. petroleum and 4 geophysical service companies. Facilities visited were the Geophysical Research Institute and an instrument factory in Peking; Electronic Computer Center and Geophysical Research Institute in Cho Hsien, 60 km south of Peking; Shengli oil field on the Yellow River delta; Marine Branch of the Geological Exploration Corp. in Shanghai; Southwest Branch of the China Petroleum Corp. in Chengtu; and China Petroleum Corp. offices in Canton. Delegation members presented papers at each facility visited except at the instrument factory in Peking. Data processing computer systems (Chinese, French, and U.S.) were toured at the computer center and also at the Shengli oil field. The visit to the latter also included a tour of the oil field and a geochemical laboratory. A highlight was a visit to a seismic field party operating near Chungking. Group discussions followed presentations of papers by delegation members. Generally, these consisted of a description by PRC geophysicists of current seismic exploration efforts and associated problems peculiar to the areas being explored. Delegation members then endeavored to answer specific questions and offer potential solutions to problems encountered. A wide range of topics was involved, covering seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation. Of special interest were (1) determination of lithology, (2) reef exploration, (3) operations in areas of rugged topography, (4) deconvolution, (5) modeling and migration, and (6) static time corrections. The delegation found that PRC geophysicists generally are aware of latest techniques in seismic data acquisition and processing but are lacking in the effective application of these. Undoubtedly, this is due to incomplete acquisition of modern field equipment and data processing systems.
CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute
