Lesson 1Quality control during acquisition: field checks, live displays, telemetry, timing, and common acquisition problems (ground roll, cultural noise)Focuses on field quality control during acquisition, including instrument tests, live displays, and timing checks. Describes detection and mitigation of ground roll, cultural noise, statics issues, and array or coupling problems.
Instrument tests and sensor verificationReal-time displays and noise scansTiming, synchronisation, and GPS checksGround roll identification and controlCultural and environmental noise sourcesStatics, coupling, and array problemsLesson 2Seismic data processing essentials for 2D: geometry assignment, velocity analysis, NMO, stacking, migration basics, and common processing artefacts to recogniseCovers key 2D processing steps from field records to stacked and migrated sections. Emphasises geometry assignment, velocity analysis, NMO, stacking, and basic migration, highlighting common artefacts and their acquisition or processing causes.
Geometry loading and QC of headersVelocity analysis and semblance panelsNMO correction and stretch effectsStacking, fold, and signal enhancementIntroductory time migration conceptsRecognising multiples and migration smilesLesson 3Elastic wave propagation in solids: P- and S-waves, velocities, impedance, reflection and transmission coefficientsReviews elastic wave propagation in solids, defining P- and S-waves, velocities, and impedance. Explains reflection and transmission at interfaces, angle dependence, mode conversion, and links to amplitude and polarity in seismic records.
Elastic moduli and seismic velocitiesP- and S-wave particle motion patternsAcoustic and elastic impedance conceptsNormal-incidence reflection coefficientsAngle-dependent reflection behaviourMode conversion at elastic interfacesLesson 4Survey logistics and environmental constraints: access, power, landowner permissions, safety, and permitting for onshore seismicAddresses survey logistics and environmental constraints for onshore seismic. Covers access, power, permitting, landowner relations, safety planning, and measures to reduce environmental impact and comply with regulations.
Access planning and line clearingPower supply and equipment stagingPermitting and regulatory complianceLandowner communication and agreementsField safety plans and risk mitigationMinimising environmental disturbanceLesson 5Simple synthetic modelling and expected seismic sections: convolutional model, generating synthetic seismograms for layered sequences and simple structures (anticline, fault)Introduces convolutional modelling to predict seismic responses from layered earth models. Covers wavelets, reflectivity series, and synthetic seismograms for flat layers, anticlines, and faults, and compares synthetics with real sections.
Reflectivity series from layered modelsChoice and design of seismic waveletsConvolutional model implementation stepsSynthetics for flat layered sequencesSynthetics for anticlines and faultsComparing synthetics with field dataLesson 6Seismic interpretation basics: reflector continuity, amplitude variations, polarity, horizon picking, fault identification, and structural vs. stratigraphic signs of reservoirsIntroduces basic 2D seismic interpretation, emphasising reflector continuity, terminations, and amplitude behaviour. Covers polarity standards, horizon picking, fault and unconformity recognition, and distinguishing structural from stratigraphic traps.
Polarity conventions and phase standardsReflector continuity and terminationsHorizon picking strategies and pitfallsFault identification and throw estimationUnconformities and onlap patternsStructural versus stratigraphic trapsLesson 7Depth of investigation and resolution: vertical and horizontal resolution, tuning thickness, frequency content, and expected depth limits for target detectionExamines depth of investigation and seismic resolution limits. Defines vertical and horizontal resolution, tuning thickness, and frequency content, relating them to wavelet length, velocity, noise, and realistic depth limits for targets.
Vertical resolution and quarter-wavelengthHorizontal resolution and Fresnel zoneTuning thickness and interference effectsFrequency content and attenuationDepth limits for target detectabilityImproving resolution with processingLesson 8Seismic sources and receivers: vibroseis, explosive sources, source signature, receiver types, coupling, and noise considerationsDescribes common seismic sources and receivers for land surveys, including vibroseis and explosives. Discusses source signatures, coupling, receiver types, arrays, and noise considerations that influence bandwidth and data quality.
Vibroseis principles and sweep designExplosive sources and charge placementSource signatures and deconvolutionGeophones, MEMS, and cable systemsReceiver coupling and planting methodsSource and receiver generated noiseLesson 9Seismic ray theory and wavefronts: Snell’s law, critical angle, moveout, and travel-time calculation for layered mediaDevelops seismic ray theory for layered media, using Snell’s law to describe refraction, critical angle, and head waves. Explains moveout, travel-time curves, and raypath construction for simple velocity layering in 2D surveys.
Snell’s law and ray parameterCritical angle and head-wave formationRaypaths in horizontally layered mediaNormal and dip moveout conceptsTravel-time curves and hyperbolasLimitations of high-frequency ray theoryLesson 10Acquisition geometry for 2D lines: line length, inline orientation, fold, CMP spacing, shot and receiver intervals, and rationale for layout choicesExplores 2D acquisition geometry, relating line length, orientation, fold, and CMP spacing to imaging goals. Discusses shot and receiver intervals, spread types, and practical layout choices under terrain and budget constraints.
Inline orientation and survey objectivesLine length versus target depth and dipCMP spacing, fold, and offset distributionShot and receiver interval selectionSplit-spread and end-on layoutsTerrain, access, and cost trade-offs
