Can we use Conventional Seismics in Unconventional Resource Plays?

Abstract

Unconventional resource plays are currently driven by advances in drilling and completion technology, rather than in exploration technology. In order to increase the efficiency of operations in these fields, it is necessary to actually explore for the best places, the 'sweet spots', to drill and frac. This will require unconventional geophysics, to match these unconventional rock formations. In particular, the exploration techniques of acquisition, processing, and interpretation will recognize the fact that these formations are anisotropic, both seismically and electromagnetically.