Seismic on the edge—the Speculant 3D Transition Zone Seismic Survey
Andrew Aouad A , Randall Taylor A , Neil Millar A , Robert Meagher A and Deidre Brooks AOrigin Energy
The APPEA Journal 52(1) 327-336 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ11025
Published: 2012
Abstract
The Speculant 3D Transition Zone (TZ) Seismic Survey was acquired by Origin Energy in the Otway Basin, about 30 km east of Warrnambool, Victoria, during November and December 2010. The objective of the survey was to fill a data gap between existing marine and land 3D seismic surveys. Although the survey covered a small surface area, it included part of the Bay of Islands Coastal Park, dairy farms, southern rock lobster fishing grounds and the migration route for the Southern Right Whale. Numerous exclusion zones were required to address a variety of stakeholder concerns, avoid environmentally sensitive areas, combat a physical landscape dominated by 60 m sea cliffs and the large Southern Ocean surf.
These access restrictions required the innovative use of modern seismic technology to enable a survey that could simultaneously record onshore and offshore without a physical connection between recording systems. On land a GSR cable-free recording system was used for the first time in Australia, eliminating the need for any line preparation or vegetation clearing. Offshore an ocean bottom cable system was used. The survey employed smaller sources than traditionally used in the region. A 900 in3 generator–injector airgun array was used offshore while a single Vibroseis unit was used on land.
This paper shares the lessons learnt during the planning, approval and acquisition of the Speculant Seismic Survey with the steps taken to reduce the operation’s footprint while maintaining data quality.
Andrew Aouad is a geophysicist at Origin Energy, based in Brisbane. He graduated in 2004 from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in geophysics. After working in minerals exploration around Australia he moved into land seismic acquisition and processing with Veritas DGC—subsequently CGGVeritas—where he worked in the Middle East and west Africa. Andrew returned to Australia to complete his Masters degree at ANU before starting with Origin, where he has been involved with land and marine seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation. Member: SEG. andrew.aouad@originenergy.com.au |
Randall Taylor holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) in Geophysics from the University of Queensland, 1982, and is now chief geophysicist for Origin Energy. He started at Origin Energy in 2000 after six years with Oil Company of Australia as team leader in the Otway and Eromanga basins. Prior to this, Randall was senior geophysicist for Santos Ltd, conducting and overseeing seismic interpretation in a number of their operated permits in the Cooper and Carnarvon basins, PNG and the Timor Sea. He began his career in geophysics with CSR’s Oil and Gas Division in 1982, working mainly in the Denison and Surat basins. Member: ASEG, SEG and PESA. randall.taylor@originenergy.com.au |
Neil Millar graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in geology from Edinburgh University before completing a Master of Science in Petroleum Geology from Aberdeen University. Neil worked at Grant Geophysical as a field seismologist for five years, specialising in land and transition zone surveys prior to working for Baker Hughes in the North Sea. Neil has worked at Origin Energy for six years and is now the Exploration Operations manager. neil.millar@originenergy.com.au |
Robert Meagher’s experience has included operations in five countries and six basins around the world. As a professional biologist he has worked in extreme environments from the arctic of Canada to the highlands of Papua New Guinea, and south through to the tropical, arid and temperate lands of Australia. His principal focuses are practical and successful environmental outcomes in all of the regions he has had the privilege to practice his trade. Bob is now responsible for the health, safety and environment aspects of Origin’s exploration operations domestically and internationally for both onshore and offshore projects. Bob holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan and a Certificate in Environmental Management from the University of Calgary. He participates in the APPEA Environmental Affairs Committee and the Collaborative Environmental Research. robert.meagher@originenergy.com.au |
Deidre Brooks completed a BSc in Geology from the University of New England, NSW in 1981. Since graduating she has worked as an exploration geologist for Esso Australia, Santos Ltd, BHP Petroleum and Woodside Petroleum, and has explored in a diverse range of basins in Australia (including Carnarvon, Bonaparte, Cooper-Eromanga, Arafura, Perth and Canning), Pakistan, ZOCA (now JPDA), Libya, Algeria and Tunisia. Deidre has been with Origin Energy since 2003 where she is now employed as Exploration Team Leader—Southern Australia, mainly working on the Otway and Bass Basin. Member: PESA. |
