Geokinetics Acquires More GoM 2D Seismic Data Using AquaVib

Geokinetics, a provider of integrated seismic data acquisition, processing and reservoir analysis solutions, said it has completed a second deployment of its AquaVib Marine Vibrator.

Advertised by the company as an environmentally sound alternative to airgun sources, the AquaVib was used to acquire repeated passes of a 13.5 km 2D test line in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico off Freeport, Texas. The line was acquired in water depths of 0-18 meters, testing multiple sweep parameters, tow depths and VP intervals, including Geokinetics’ proprietary Symphony sweep.

A second line was recorded using a shallow water airgun array for data comparison purposes. Acquisition took place in January and February 2017. In all, the AquaVib successfully acquired over 85 kilometers of source line into a 4C Ocean Bottom receiver spread.

This is the second dataset collected by the company using the AquaVib acquisition technology and was focused on exploring the low frequency and shallow water capabilities of the unit, in addition to experimenting with a number of production sweeps. The first test was conducted in 2015 off the coast of Louisiana in deeper water.

“Our clients have been in need of a marine source that will either augment or, in some cases, act as an alternative to the airgun,” said David Crowley, president and CEO of Geokinetics. “We’re very pleased with the resultant data sets and look forward to providing this solution to our valued clients in the very near future.”

The Gulf of Mexico 2D seismic data is currently in processing with Geokinetics Advanced Imaging Services (AIS) group. Both the raw and processed AquaVib and airgun data will be available for license in Q2 2017.

“This is a very rich dataset, and we anticipate significant demand from companies interested in understanding more about this new technology,” said John Archer, vice president, Technology and Business Development. “The AquaVib is a perfect complement to our Seafloor Operations Group (SFO), which acquires seafloor seismic data from the beach to shallow coastal waters anywhere in the world and in all geologic environments.”