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Permalink Reply by Billy Park Whyde on April 27, 2012 at 12:36pm

This is a twist from the norm. Of course such a survey will benefit the O&G companies as to what is yours below your property, yours not theirs as you have not signed a lease. Since the O&G company or land investment enterprise will know the results they will profit upon it, be it to possibly drill, block by acquiring land around you or attempt to get a lease from you and flip it.  Since the O&G companies are using confidentiality perhaps the results of what is yours should be released to you under confidential conditions as well.  

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Permalink Reply by Jack Straw on April 27, 2012 at 2:45pm

Aspects of this have been discussed before, below are two past discussions:

http://gomarcellusshale.com/forum/topics/access-fees-for-seismic-te...

http://gomarcellusshale.com/forum/topics/3-d-geophysical-survey?com...

The availability of seismic data has the potential to make your acreage more attractive to potential lessees; subsurface data obtained from a 3D data allows O & G Companies to reduce their drilling risks and increase the likelihood of a successful well.

The reduced risk of drilling (a very expensive) dry or sub-par well due to the availability of 3D data can possibly result in a better bid for a lease or greater competition for the lease. 

If a fault is seen on 3D seismic data, this does not necessarily mean that they will not drill – they would have the option of placing the well in a location not impacted by the fault.

All IMHO,

                JS

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Permalink Reply by mike on May 2, 2012 at 3:12pm

So I should let them or not i like the  Since the O&G companies are using confidentiality perhaps the results of what is yours should be released to you under confidential conditions as well. 

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Permalink Reply by Jack Straw on May 2, 2012 at 4:15pm

To be able to look at and understand the results of a 3D Survey requires skills alien to the average person. To interpret the data requires the skills of a person with a degree in Geology (with an extra dose of Physics and Mathematics) and then an MSc or PHD in Geophysics followed by an Industry apprenticeship of at least 3 years.

Interpreting 3D data requires knowledge and experience lacking in 99.999% of the population. Not bragging, it is simply an acquired skill; a skill not related to experiences and training of the average person. The data are viewed on a high resolution computer monitor connected to a computer workstation.

It might help to think of 3D Seismic data as similar to a medical MRI or CAT Scan (only a lot more data, lower resolution and more difficult to make sense of).

And this 3D data only makes sense to an experienced interpreter only when calibrated and correlated with Geologic knowledge of the area and tied to nearby well log data. To the average person, 3D seismic data appears as confusing gibberish.

If Seismic data contractors were smart, they would prepare an educational DVD showing the process – start to finish – all in simple English and well illustrated.

They could then freely give out this DVD to interested parties. In this manner they could dispel they “mystery” that surrounds the process; if the veil was lifted over the mysteries of the process, landowners would be able to feel much more comfortable.

The Seismic data contractors have the people who would know how to create the educational DVD, and once made, they could copy this at a couple dollars a piece.

I think they are missing an opportunity to easily and cheaply educate people; and once educated, people would be much more agreeable. The simple act of trying to educate the landowner would demonstrate respect for the landowner and for their intelligence.

 

All IMHO,

                   JS

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Permalink Reply by Jack Straw on May 3, 2012 at 3:55am

For those who would like to look at data from a Marcellus 3D seismic survey I direct you to this paper: "The Marcellus Shale Revealed with Full Azimuth 3D Multi-Component Seismic Data"

You can obtain it from a free download at this site:

http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/documents/2011/110160rebec/ndx_re...

This is a large pdf file and I find it to be a slow download.

I suggest that (once downloaded) you save it to your harddrive and you can then scroll through it quickly.

Do not attempt to download if you are on "dial-up".

Be patient, go get a cup of coffee or walk the dog while the download is taking place.

Even if you are not interested in the 3D data, there are some nice maps, geologic crosssections and pictures of the Marcellus Shale in outcrop.

 

JS

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