Illuminating reservoirs with traditional marine seismic acquisition has always been challenging. Much of the challenge results from the lack of variation in the azimuths of the recorded seismic raypaths.
Advanced acquisition techniques such as multi-azimuth (MAZ), wide-azimuth (WAZ), and rich-azimuth (RAZ) are recent innovations aimed at addressing the illumination problems inherent in traditional narrow-azimuth marine seismic.
These types of survey improve signal-to-noise ratio and illumination in complex geology and provide natural attenuation of some multiples. Modeling studies and tests on real data are essential to optimize survey design. WesternGeco Q-Marine technology such as streamer steering, single-sensor recording, large steerable calibrated source arrays, and improved shot repeatability, as well as benefits such as better noise sampling and attenuation, and the capability to record during vessel turns, all contribute to the improved imaging.
This figure demonstrates various acquisition techniques and their related rose plots. The level of 'hits' from different azimuths aptly illustrates the advantages of the techniques.
With proven expertise, WesternGeco has introduced these advances in MAZ, WAZ, and RAZ acquisition to many of the world’s major basins.
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