Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2006

Publication Details

This conference paper was originally published as Rodeghiero A and Fredericks, L, Advances in Surface Seismic Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation, in Aziz, N (ed), Coal 2006: Coal Operators' Conference, University of Wollongong & the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2006, 132-150.

Abstract

Seismic Reflection surveys and borehole drilling have been the two primary exploration tools used in Illawarra Coal’s operations in the Southern Coalfield. For the past 10 years the exploration department has been using their in house acquisition system developed by BHP. However, this system was limited to 180 channels and two dimensional surveys and a more advanced system was required with a much larger channel capacity for modern three dimensional seismic surveys. In July 2004 Illawarra Coal acquired a more advanced seismic acquisition system from Vibtech in the UK, which enabled high resolution three dimensional surveys to be conducted. Acquisition, processing and interpretation techniques have also been improved through the use of three component inseam geophones, depth conversion of data, shear wave acquisition for the near surface interval, statistical analysis and integration with other data including boreholes, downhole geophysical logs, seismic, airborne magnetics, surface and inseam mapping, surface to inseam drilling and inseam drilling. Processing and interpretation techniques have been refined to suit the local geology within the Illawarra region. Some of the methods used to improve the value of the interpreted data include: • Depth Conversion • Full waveform sonic and VSP to improve velocity analysis • Acquisition, processing and interpretation of three component geophones at coal seam level to define structural lineaments, stress domains and possible dykes and • Modelling of strata gas reservoirs from seismic and downhole geophysical data

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