Survey design for 3D and 4D marine seismic surveys is critical to achieve the specific subsurface data objective.
Planning a Marine Seismic Survey Help to Predict Costs and Emissions
A successful seismic survey depends on more than the acquisition alone. Geological complexity, survey geometry, environmental and operational constraints, and the intended imaging workflow must all be accounted for. Strategic modeling during planning improves outcome certainty, helping predict both survey cost and environmental impact.
Accurate results don't require complex modeling. Simple yet representative earth models can provide reliable insight into acquisition geometry. When real data is available, benchmarking model output against known results builds confidence in decision-making.
4 Key Considerations
Identify target geology and potential imaging challenges
Define acquisition parameters for fit-for-purpose data
Anticipate data processing and interpretation requirements
Balance survey cost against value of information
Our Survey Design Tools
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Nucleus+
Temporal and Spatial Sampling
Offset Sampling
Azimuth Sampling
Environmental Emissions
4D Survey Design
Nucleus+
Nucleus+: Advanced Seismic Modeling and Planning Software
Nucleus+ is the industry’s preferred software for pre-survey source modeling and elastic synthetic seismic modeling. It helps simplify and accelerate seismic planning by automating many modeling-related tasks and analyses.
The platform supports a wide range of marine acquisition scenarios, from conventional towed-streamer surveys to seafloor sensor deployments, incorporating real navigation data when available. Its calibrated modeling engine is regularly updated with current airgun specifications, making it one of the most trusted tools for seismic survey planning.
Temporal and spatial sampling parameters are central to matching survey design with the desired subsurface resolution. These decisions influence source configuration, towing depth, firing intervals, and the layout of streamers in terms of number, spacing, and depth.
Carefully chosen parameters allow for optimal frequency content and better subsurface resolution. Robust solutions exist to enhance both low and high temporal frequency content through adjustments in source design and streamer configuration. TGS’s flexible towing capabilities provide a wide design envelope to support a variety of imaging objectives and geologic settings.
Offset sampling, both near and far, plays a significant role in survey effectiveness. High-density near-offset coverage improves resolution in the shallow section and enhances the reliability of amplitude variation with offset (AVO) analysis. This is particularly important in amplitude-based subsurface characterization.
Far-offset coverage becomes critical for full waveform inversion (FWI) workflows, where longer propagation paths are required to constrain deeper velocity models. Modeling and geometry diagnostics during survey planning allow these offset ranges to be optimized in advance, helping to balance imaging requirements with acquisition feasibility.
Offset and azimuth coverage directly affect imaging quality in complex geological environments. In structurally benign settings, multi-azimuth (MAZ) acquisition may offer sufficient illumination. However, in more challenging areas, wide-azimuth (WAZ) or rich-azimuth (RAZ) solutions may be required to resolve spatial variations in reflectivity and reduce noise artifacts.
Flexible acquisition planning allows survey designers to select the appropriate azimuthal strategy based on imaging goals and subsurface complexity. While MAZ offers a more cost-effective and operationally efficient solution, WAZ and RAZ designs demand greater planning effort and coordination, often involving multiple vessels.
Environmental considerations are integral to modern seismic survey planning. Modeling of underwater sound propagation is performed to assess potential impacts on marine life, guiding mitigation strategies such as timing and safety zones. These models are paired with environmental impact assessments tailored to the survey location and season.
In parallel, the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO₂, is becoming a regulatory and commercial priority. Emissions are estimated at the design stage and reported for each TGS survey, enabling operators to compare different survey configurations and prioritize low-emission options where possible.
Time-lapse, or 4D, seismic surveys require exceptional repeatability to accurately monitor reservoir changes over time. Achieving this depends on maintaining consistent acquisition geometry across all surveys, including precise positioning and depth control of both sources and receivers.
Survey design for 4D monitoring accounts for the limits of the acquisition system in terms of repeatability. Tools such as streamer overlap, source and streamer steering, and multisensor acquisition are employed to meet these thresholds. The result is a time-lapse dataset that enables confident interpretation of reservoir depletion or enhanced recovery effects.
With the industry’s most diverse fleet and integrated expertise, from survey design and acquisition to seismic data imaging, TGS delivers trusted, tailored solutions for complex exploration challenges.
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