scholarly journals Cetacean behavioral responses to noise exposure generated by seismic surveys: how to mitigate better?

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Monaco ◽  
Jesús M. Ibáñez ◽  
Francisco Carrión ◽  
L. Mario Tringali
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Joint Nature Conservation Committee ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Southern Mediterranean

<p>Cetaceans use sound in many contexts, such as in social interactions, as well as to forage and to react in dangerous situations. Little information exists to describe how they respond physically and behaviorally to intense and long-term noise levels. Effects on cetaceans from seismic survey activities need to be understood in order to determine detailed acoustic exposure guidelines and to apply appropriated mitigation measures. This study examines direct behavioral responses of cetaceans in the southern Mediterranean Sea during seismic surveys with large airgun arrays (volume up to 5200 ci) used in the TOMO-ETNA active seismic experiment of summer 2014. Wide Angle Seismic and Multi-Channel Seismic surveys had carried out with refraction and reflection seismic methods, producing about 25,800 air-gun shots. Visual monitoring undertaken in the 26 daylights of seismic exploration adopted the protocol of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Data recorded were analyzed to examine effects on cetaceans. Sighting rates, distance and orientation from the airguns were compared for different volume categories of the airgun arrays. Results show that cetaceans can be disturbed by seismic survey activities, especially during particularly events. Here we propose many integrated actions to further mitigate this exposure and implications for management.</p>

The application of ambient noise and reflection seismic exploration in an urban active fault survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. SU1-SU10
Author(s):  
Xiaoqiong Lei ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Wenyuan Jin ◽  
Chen Han ◽  
Xiwei Xu
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Active Fault ◽  
Active Faults ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Deep Penetration ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Active Source ◽  
Seismic Lines

As the detection of urban active faults becomes increasingly important, high-resolution detection of urban blind active faults is very important for urban planning, land use, and disaster risk reduction. However, it is difficult to determine the corresponding surface positions in the city environment for noise and building restrictions. The active source reflection seismic technique is considered the best technique to image faults with a high resolution and deep penetration. However, urban geophysical exploration must often consider the complex urban environment, which includes moving vehicles, dense power grids, and irregular buildings. These features make active source reflection seismic exploration difficult for wide application due to its drawbacks of high cost and the necessary use of explosives. In contrast, ambient noise seismic surveys have the advantages of continuous ambient noise sources, low cost, and fast deployment. These advantages are good for urban exploration. Although ambient noise seismic surveys have a lower resolution than active seismic surveys, their ultrahigh-density layout can improve the resolution. We have conducted two active source seismic lines and two ambient noise seismic lines near the Huangzhuang-Gaoliying fault (HGF) in a northern suburb of Beijing. The autocorrelation and crosscorrelation results are consistent with the active source reflection seismic results. They revealed the location of the HGF, which is composed of a set of steep dip faults. The study of the combination of the two techniques demonstrates that ambient noise seismic surveys are effective for urban active fault detection, especially for larger scale area surveys, and active source reflection seismic surveys can be used for detailed surveys. The combination of the two techniques has a higher efficiency and lower costs and can be widely used in blind urban active fault surveys.

A comparative study of multi-scaled high-resolution seismic surveys in shallow marine environments: examples from three sites, offshore Korea

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Jun Kim ◽  
Snons Cheong ◽  
Deniz Cukur ◽  
Dong-Geun Yoo
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Data Processing ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Seismic Source ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Minimum Length ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Target Depth

&lt;p&gt;In marine seismic surveys, various acquisition systems are used depending on the survey purpose, target depth, survey environment, and conditions. A 3D survey of oil and/or gas exploration, for instance, require large-capacity air-gun arrays and six or more streamers with a minimum length of 6 km. In contrast, a high-resolution seismic survey for the shallow-water geological research and engineering needs a small capacity source such as air-gun, sparker, and boomer, deployed with a single-channel or multi-channel (24-channel) streamers. The main purpose of our seismic survey was to investigate the Quaternary geology and stratigraphy of offshore, Korea. Because the Quaternary is the most recent geological period, our target depth was very shallow at about 50 m below the sea-bottom. We used a high-frequency seismic source including a sparker of 2,000 J capacity or a 60 in&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt; mini GI-gun and an eight-channel streamer with a 3.125 m group interval or a single-channel streamer that included 96 elements. To compare the resolution of seismic data according to the seismic source, a boomer or sparker systems were used with the single-channel streamer on a small survey ship. The seismic data processing was performed at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) with ProMAX, and the data processing and resolution of each survey were compared based on their acquisition systems.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Time-Depth Curve Evaluation Method for Conversion Time to Depth at Penobscot Field, Nova-Scotia, Canada

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Fitri Rizqi Azizah ◽  
Puguh Hiskiawan ◽  
Sri Hartanto
Keyword(s):  
Time Domain ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Conversion Time ◽  
Well Data ◽  
The Time Domain ◽  
Depth Curve

Oil and natural gas as a fossil fuel that is essential for human civilization, and included in nonrenewable energy, making this energy source is not easy for updated availability. So that it is necessary for exploration and exploitation reliable implementation. Seismic exploration becomes the method most widely applied in the oil, in particular reflection seismic exploration. Data wells (depth domain) and seismic data (time domain) of reflection seismic survey provides information wellbore within the timescale. As for the good interpretation needed information about the state of the earth and is able to accurately describe the actual situation (scale depth). Conversion time domain into the depth domain into things that need to be done in generating qualified exploration map. Method of time-depth curve to be the method most preferred by the geophysical interpreter, in addition to a fairly short turnaround times, also do not require a large budget. Through data information check-shot consisting of the well data and seismic data, which is then exchanged plotted, forming a curve time-depth curve, has been able to produce a map domain depth fairly reliable based on the validation value obtained in the range of 54 - 176m difference compared to the time domain maps previously generated.Keywords: Energy nonrenewable, survei seismik, peta domain waktu, peta domain kedalaman, time-depth curve

RECENT GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL RESULTS IN THE NORTHEASTERN CANNING BASIN

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
M. F. Drew ◽  
G. R. Evans
Keyword(s):  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Canning Basin ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Magnetic Basement ◽  
Southern Flank

The exploration programme conducted in Exploration Permits 58 and 59 in the northeastern Canning Basin during the past three years has clarified regional structural and stratigraphic relationships. Interpretation of the combined results of field geological, high sensitivity aeromagnetic and reflection seismic surveys has delineated five major structural elements, some previously unrecognised. These are, from north to south, the Billiluna Shelf, the Betty Terrace, the Fitzroy Trough, the Crossland Platform and the Helena Platform. Sedimentary rocks from Proterozoic to Mesozoic age occur in the permits. The Phanerozoic rocks range in thickness from in excess of 15000 m in the Fitzroy Trough to a veneer of probably less than 1000 m over the Billiluna Shelf. On the Crossland Platform and the Helena Platform, up to 4000 m of Lower and Middle Palaeozoic rocks overlain by up to 1500 m of Upper Palaeozoic sediments are interpreted to be present.Whilst no wells have been drilled within the area, results of exploratory holes in adjoining permits have been used to refine the interpretations presented in this paper. The principal stratigraphic features of interest to petroleum exploration are a possible Devonian reef trend located on the junction of the Crossland and Helena Platforms and subdued structural features caused by halokinesis on the Helena Platform.Two major geological conclusions were drawn from the exploration programme to date. One is that the age of the formation of the Fitzroy Trough, at least in this part of the Canning Basin, is younger than previously postulated. The other is the presence in the northeastern part of the Canning Basin of a Proterozoic infrabasin with depths to magnetic basement comparable with measured outcrop thicknesses on the southern flank of the Kimberley Block.Future exploration plans for the region call for further seismic exploration and the drilling of medium depth wildcat tests to investigate the hydrocarbon potential of the region.

scholarly journals Exposure to seismic survey alters blue whale acoustic communication

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Di Iorio ◽  
Christopher W. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Communication ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Peak Frequency ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Vocal Behaviour ◽  
Social Encounters ◽  
Blue Whales

The ability to perceive biologically important sounds is critical to marine mammals, and acoustic disturbance through human-generated noise can interfere with their natural functions. Sounds from seismic surveys are intense and have peak frequency bands overlapping those used by baleen whales, but evidence of interference with baleen whale acoustic communication is sparse. Here we investigated whether blue whales ( Balaenoptera musculus ) changed their vocal behaviour during a seismic survey that deployed a low-medium power technology (sparker). We found that blue whales called consistently more on seismic exploration days than on non-exploration days as well as during periods within a seismic survey day when the sparker was operating. This increase was observed for the discrete, audible calls that are emitted during social encounters and feeding. This response presumably represents a compensatory behaviour to the elevated ambient noise from seismic survey operations.

scholarly journals Kangaroo Rat Population Response to Seismic Surveys for Hydrocarbon Reserves

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Brian L. Cypher ◽  
Lawrence R. Saslaw ◽  
Christine L. Van Horn Job ◽  
Tory L. Westall ◽  
Alexandria Y. Madrid
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Kangaroo Rats ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Kangaroo Rat ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Live Trap ◽  
Vehicle Activity ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Drilling Rigs

Abstract Seismic surveys are a method used to locate commercially producible deposits of crude oil and natural gas. These surveys entail generating energy waves that reflect off of subterranean strata and return to the surface where they are recorded and interpreted. In the southern San Joaquin Valley of California, a region rich in hydrocarbon deposits, the two common methods of creating these energy waves include detonating buried explosive charges (“shot-hole” method) and generating strong ground-penetrating vibrations (“vibroseis” method). However, this region also supports many species of conservation concern, including several endemic species of kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.). We investigated the effects of a seismic survey on kangaroo rats, including two rare species, the giant kangaroo rat Dipodomys ingens and the short-nosed kangaroo rat Dipodomys nitratoides brevinasus, to determine whether seismic survey activities reduced kangaroo rat abundance, survival, or condition. In 2011, we established 18 study plots: eight subjected to shot-holes, six subjected to vibroseis, and eight controls with no energy source activities. A live-trap grid consisting of 30 traps was established on each plot, and kangaroo rats were captured and marked for four consecutive nights during trapping sessions 1–2 wk before the seismic survey (presurvey), 1–2 wk after the survey (postsurvey), and 5 mo after the survey (long term). Based on capture rates of unique individuals, abundance was similar among shot-hole, vibroseis, and control plots in each of the trapping sessions. Based on recaptures of marked individuals from previous sessions, survival was similar among treatments. Based on mass measurements, condition was similar among treatments. We did not detect adverse impacts to kangaroo rats from a seismic survey; in part, the lack of impacts detected may have been attributable to mitigation measures implemented to avoid or reduce adverse effects. These measures included restricting vibroseis trucks to existing roads, limiting off-road vehicle activity to small tractor-mounted drilling rigs with balloon tires, and attempting to avoid all kangaroo rat burrows by at least 10 m. Similar measures are recommended for any future seismic surveys in this region and elsewhere when burrowing species of conservation concern may be present.

Shot repetition: An alternative seismic blending code in marine acquisition

Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. P29-P37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sixue Wu ◽  
Gerrit Blacquière ◽  
Gert-Jan Adriaan van Groenestijn
Keyword(s):  
Source Code ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Data Quality Control ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Seismic Acquisition ◽  
Marine Seismic ◽  
Source Encoding

In blended seismic acquisition, or simultaneous source seismic acquisition, source encoding is essential at the acquisition stage to allow for separation of the blended sources at the processing stage. In land seismic surveys, the vibroseis sources may be encoded with near-orthogonal sweeps for blending. In marine seismic surveys, the sweep type of source encoding is difficult because the main source type in marine seismic exploration is the air-gun array, which has an impulsive character. Another issue in marine streamer seismic data acquisition is that the spatial source sampling is generally coarse. This hinders the deblending performance of algorithms based on the random time delay blending code that inherently requires a dense source sampling because they exploit the signal coherency in the common-receiver domain. We have developed an alternative source code called shot repetition that exploits the impulsive character of the marine seismic source in blending. This source code consists of repeated spikes of ones and can be realized physically by activating a broadband impulsive source more than once at (nearly) the same location. Optimization of the shot-repetition type of blending code was done to improve the deblending performance. As a result of using shot repetition, the deblending process can be carried out in individual shot gathers. Therefore, our method has no need for a regular dense source sampling: It can cope with irregular sparse source sampling; it can help with real-time data quality control. In addition, the use of shot repetition is beneficial for reducing the background noise in the deblended data. We determine the feasibility of our method on numerical examples.

Identification of and Favorable Conditions for a New Long-Offset Seismic Phase from Offshore–Onshore Seismic Surveys

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changrong Zhang ◽  
Shaohong Xia ◽  
Jinghe Cao ◽  
Kuiyuan Wan ◽  
Cheng Xiong
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Waves ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Apparent Velocity ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Crustal Structures ◽  
Favorable Conditions

Abstract Offshore–onshore seismic survey is one of the main methods to study crustal structures in offshore–onshore transitional zones. At present, the seismic waves commonly used in imaging are the crustal refraction (Pg), the crustal reflection from the Moho (PmP), and the upper-mantle refraction (Pn) waves. The propagation distances of Pg and PmP are commonly less than 210 km, and Pn propagates with an apparent velocity of ∼8  km/s. In 2015, two offshore–onshore wide-angle seismic lines with a length of ∼350  km were acquired in the Pearl River Estuary. In addition to Pg, PmP, and Pn, a new seismic phase was observed, which has a long propagation distance (offset of ∼170–290  km), low apparent velocity (∼5.85  km/s), and low frequency (∼4–7  Hz). Similar seismic phases have been widely reported in previous offshore–onshore and reservoir seismic surveys, but the understanding of these phases is still limited. Herein, we used both raytracing and waveform modeling methods to identify the new seismic phase as the secondary Pg phase, which reflects from the surface (named Pg2Pg). We also discuss favorable conditions for Pg2Pg, including (1) a thin sedimentary layer with low velocity at the surface in which the reflection of Pg occurs, which can reduce the incidence angles and hence increase the energy of the reflected waves; (2) a sedimentary basement dipping toward the sea at the positions of the air gun shots, which focuses seismic waves; (3) relatively smooth interfaces of the medium, which can reduce the scattering of Pg2Pg; and (4) air guns that can excite low-frequency signals, which can reduce the attenuation of seismic waves. Checkerboard tests and practical applications show that Pg2Pg can significantly improve upper-crustal resolution, especially for onshore areas. Our research promotes the data mining of offshore–onshore seismic surveys, which is important for obtaining more detailed crustal structures.

scholarly journals S-wave experiments for the exploration of a deep geothermal carbonate reservoir in the German Molasse Basin

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Britta Wawerzinek ◽  
Hermann Buness ◽  
Hartwig von Hartmann ◽  
David C. Tanner
Keyword(s):  
Upper Jurassic ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Molasse Basin ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Induced Earthquakes ◽  
Conversion Point ◽  
Facies Classification

AbstractThere are many successful geothermal projects that exploit the Upper Jurassic aquifer at 2–3 km depth in the German Molasse Basin. However, up to now, only P-wave seismic exploration has been carried out. In an experiment in the Greater Munich area, we recorded S-waves that were generated by the conventional P-wave seismic survey, using 3C receivers. From this, we built a 3D volume of P- to S-converted (PS) waves using the asymptotic conversion point approach. By combining the P-volume and the resulting PS-seismic volume, we were able to derive the spatial distribution of the vp/vs ratio of both the Molasse overburden and the Upper Jurassic reservoir. We found that the vp/vs ratios for the Molasse units range from 2.0 to 2.3 with a median of 2.15, which is much higher than previously assumed. This raises the depth of hypocenters of induced earthquakes in surrounding geothermal wells. The vp/vs ratios found in the Upper Jurassic vary laterally between 1.5 and 2.2. Since no boreholes are available for verification, we test our results against an independently derived facies classification of the conventional 3D seismic volume and found it correlates well. Furthermore, we see that low vp/vs ratios correlate with high vp and vs velocities. We interpret the latter as dolomitized rocks, which are connected with enhanced permeability in the reservoir. We conclude that 3C registration of conventional P-wave surveys is worthwhile.

Introduction to this special section: Acquisition and sensing

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 670-670
Author(s):  
Margarita Corzo ◽  
Tim Brice ◽  
Ray Abma
Keyword(s):  
Special Section ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Ocean Bottom ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Small Boat ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Seismic Acquisition ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Seismic Images

Seismic acquisition has undergone a revolution over the last few decades. The volume of data acquired has increased exponentially, and the quality of seismic images obtained has improved tremendously. While the total cost of acquiring a seismic survey has increased, the cost per trace has dropped precipitously. Land surveys have evolved from sparse 2D lines acquired with a few dozen receivers to densely sampled 3D multiazimuth surveys. Marine surveys that once may have consisted of a small boat pulling a single cable have evolved to large streamer vessels pulling multiple cables and air-gun arrays and to ocean-bottom detectors that require significant fleets to place the detectors, shoot the sources, and provide support. These surveys collect data that are wide azimuth and typically fairly well sampled.

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