Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
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Q.) What benefits are derived from using an internet-based consulting company?
A.) T/X Resources’ philosophy of providing the most efficient and technologically advanced services, are best utilized within an internet-based structure. To client companies, this directly and indirectly translates to lower overhead costs (fewer interpretation and support personnel, reduced hardware / software requirements, elimination of training budget, etc.), compressed project completion times (quick project “ramp-up” and more efficient use of available time—fewer commutes and meetings) and “burst access” to additional resources for short-term equipment/program demands (utilized only during project “overloads”). In addition, clients may have the benefit of these resources, no matter where in the world they are located!!
Q.) What technology resources are available for my company’s interpretation project?
A.) T/X Resources currently utilizes the Seismic Micro-Technology “KINGDOM” seismic interpretation software for both 2D and/or 3D projects. In addition to the standard methods of workstation-based interpretation, we also provide 3D seismic visualization technologies, which produce large benefits, in both interpretation efficiency and accuracy, such as three-dimensional perspective viewing of data and maps, as well as animations and “fly-by” techniques. Many benefits are also derived from use of the Geotrace “EASY SUITE” software, for computing synthetic seismograms, modeling structural / stratigraphic / AVO responses and evaluating 3D acquisition designs. Specialized seismic processing and parameter determination is applied with Seismic Image Software’s “VISTA” seismic processing package. For specialized surface gridding, visualization and data graphing applications, the Golden Software “SURFER” and “GRAPHER” programs have been licensed and are also available. Many other exploration techniques have been developed and can be utilized within T/X Resources’ “PROPRIETARY” library of geophysical applications.
Q.) How did you develop the expertise to provide this range of capabilities?
A.) In 1983, as the power of personal computers were becoming sufficient for geophysical applications, Michael Cline recognized their value and began utilizing them in his own geophysical interpretations—ahead of many oil & gas and geophysical software companies, at that time (many proprietary techniques were initiated during this period). When he began providing consulting services in 1985, his focus was on the verification of interpretations, though stratigraphic and structural modeling techniques. He expanded these services in 1991, to included AVO modeling and analysis, along with some additional and specific data processing applications. Also during this period of time, as 3D seismic surveys became more common, he was beginning to incorporate computer-based seismic interpretation techniques. His first large scale interpretation project occurred in 1988, on a Landmark workstation. Since then, many 3D interpretation projects have been completed (on Geoquest, Landmark and SMT workstations), ranging in size and complexity, from a limited 10 square mile onshore (domestic) survey, to an immense deep-water, international project of over 750 square miles. Over the last six years, because many of his smaller clients lacked the technical resources to design, analyze and supervise a 3D seismic survey (aquisition through data processing), T/X Resources has added these capabilities as well, to complement his services.
Q.) What is your interpretation philosophy and how can it reduce my drilling risk?
A.) I strongly believe that the most fundamentally critical (and most often overlooked) step in any geophysical interpretation is getting all of the well data correctly related, in all of the spatial domains, to the geophysical data. In any structural and/or stratigraphic seismic interpretation, this translates directly into the generation, calibration and analysis of synthetic seismo- grams and time-depth functions, as well as verifying the locations of this data. For an interpretation of a potentially productive formation, to be accurate and robust, we have to know exactly where we are mapping. Only then can we correctly infer any results of this work–which translates directly to the clients’ benefit, by decreasing the potential for drilling dry holes.
Q.) What are a few recent techniques developed by T/X Resources?
A.) Two examples which were developed for structural interpretation, in complexly faulted areas, include: (1) the “FAULT IMAGING” technique, using fully-illuminated map surfaces, which is beneficial to clients, because it enables the interpreter to “connect” faults more accurately and also increases the ability to “see” and resolve much smaller faults than previously possible, as well as, (2) a newer technique which has recently been developed is the proprietary “FAST” (Frequency Amplified Seismic Traces) attribute for enhancing seismic resolution, beyond current frequency “boosting” technologies (spectral balancing, or whitening). Within the subject of stratigraphic interpretation, several proprietary AVO (amplitude vs. offset) techniques have been developed, such as: (1) the “AIS” (AVO Integration Stack), a compilation method for AVO attributes, and (2) “MAP ATTRIBUTE NORMALIZATION”, to discriminate hydrocarbon-bearing zones, from seismic responses due to lithological changes.
Q.) How long will it take to complete my 3D project?
A.) Many variables determine how long a project will take. For example, just to get the initial well data (formation tops, faults, logs, producing intervals, etc.) into a digital format and entered into a large and detailed development project, can take several weeks. In addition to this, the geophysical parameters can include survey size, data quality (signal-to-noise ratio) and imaging accuracy, while some of the geological constraints are: number of objectives (potential producing intervals to be mapped), structural complexity (which relates to the number and distribution of faults) and depth of objectives. For a frame of reference, the necessary length of time can range from a few days, for a quick evaluation of a shallow producing objective in an existing interpretation project, to a major portion of a year, for a large and complex survey area, with many potential objectives to analyze. More commonly however, the interpretation of a clients’ 3D project will usually take several months to complete and fully evaluate (for a range of 20-50 square miles).
Q.) What additional technologies are being considered, which will benefit your clients?
A.) A long-standing interest of mine, is in the area of seismic depth conversion. Often, there are time/expense limitations related to migrating 3D seismic volumes, in the pre-stack depth domain, so I am always looking into alternate methods and software for improving efficiencies.
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