Lesson 1Quality control during acquisition: field checks, live displays, telemetry, timing, and common acquisition problems (ground roll, cultural noise)Focuses on on-site quality checks during data collection, including gear tests, real-time screens, and time checks. It covers spotting and fixing ground roll, man-made noise, static issues, and problems with arrays or ground contact.
Instrument tests and sensor verificationReal-time displays and noise scansTiming, synchronization, 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 artifacts to recognizeCovers main 2D processing steps from raw field data to stacked and migrated images. Stresses setting up geometry, velocity picks, NMO correction, stacking, and simple migration, pointing out common glitches and their causes from setup or processing.
Geometry loading and QC of headersVelocity analysis and semblance panelsNMO correction and stretch effectsStacking, fold, and signal enhancementIntroductory time migration conceptsRecognizing multiples and migration smilesLesson 3Elastic wave propagation in solids: P- and S-waves, velocities, impedance, reflection and transmission coefficientsGoes over how elastic waves travel through rocks, defining P- and S-waves, their speeds, and impedance. Explains reflections and transmissions at boundaries, angle effects, wave conversion, and how they show up as amplitude and polarity on seismic traces.
Elastic moduli and seismic velocitiesP- and S-wave particle motion patternsAcoustic and elastic impedance conceptsNormal-incidence reflection coefficientsAngle-dependent reflection behaviorMode conversion at elastic interfacesLesson 4Survey logistics and environmental constraints: access, power, landowner permissions, safety, and permitting for onshore seismicDeals with survey planning and environmental limits for land-based seismic in Kenya. Includes getting access, power supply, landowner approvals, safety plans, and steps to cut environmental harm while following local rules.
Access planning and line clearingPower supply and equipment stagingPermitting and regulatory complianceLandowner communication and agreementsField safety plans and risk mitigationMinimizing environmental disturbanceLesson 5Simple synthetic modeling and expected seismic sections: convolutional model, generating synthetic seismograms for layered sequences and simple structures (anticline, fault)Introduces simple modelling to predict seismic looks from layered ground models. Covers wavelets, reflectivity, and fake seismograms for flat layers, domes, and faults, comparing them to real data 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 reservoirsCovers basic 2D seismic reading, focusing on layer continuity, endings, and strength changes. Includes polarity rules, picking horizons, spotting faults and gaps, and telling structural from layered 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 detectionLooks at how deep seismic can see and its sharpness limits. Defines up-down and side-to-side resolution, tuning thickness, frequencies, linking to wavelet size, speed, noise, and real depth reaches 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 usual seismic sources and receivers for land work, like vibroseis and blasts. Discusses source waveshapes, ground coupling, receiver kinds, arrays, and noise factors affecting 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 mediaBuilds ray theory for layered ground, using Snell’s law for bending, critical angles, and head waves. Explains time shifts, travel curves, and ray paths for basic speed layers 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 setup geometry, linking line length, direction, coverage, and point spacing to imaging aims. Covers shot and receiver gaps, spread styles, and real choices under terrain and budget limits.
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
