GEOSCIENCES

Vibtech’s single-channel unit for the Unite system.

Scottish wireless solutions developer Vibtech has launched a cable-free remote data acquisition and transmission system for the seismic industry known as Unite. The company says it is the lightest and most flexible seismic acquisition system currently available to the industry.

Vibtech is planning several onshore field trials with the technology this year, and then plans a roll-out to the offshore arena.

The system is based on lightweight, stand-alone single channel units that operate independently of others. Using the company’s own Cellular Seismic acquisition system, a large bandwidth for data transmission is achieved by dividing the survey area into a number of radio cells.

Because the system works without cables, it is up to 80% lighter than cable-based systems, and significantly less expensive, since the need for purchasing and maintaining cables and digital connectors is eliminated. The company also reports a subsequent reduction in logistics and as much as a two-thirds reduction in manpower.

There is also a greater degree of flexibility possible, says the company, as the system can be deployed in non-regular patterns, resulting in improved sampling of the surface.

Each unit comes equipped with GPS for positioning and synchronization, lithium-ion batteries with capacity for a normal deployment cycle, and a large high density memory sufficient to record days of acquisition.

Options include an external battery pack for longer use, enhanced memory capacity for longer period recording between data harvesting, a cable option between units, multiple channel units, and a digital sensor interface.

Doug Gibson, Vibtech CEO, says, “We anticipate that we will be running initial field trials during 2Q 2006 ahead of a full-scale field trial later in the year 2006.”

Vibtech stressed that its system is not confined to land. The technology was also developed for the surf zone, and the company is reportedly looking to build a subsea version in coming years.

BGS installs second visualization system

The British Geological Survey (BGS) has recently installed a Virtalis StereoWorks visualization system at its Edinburgh, Scotland office. This follows the installation of a nearly identical system at its Keyworth headquarters last year and will enable geologists to explore geological data in full stereo 3D.

Martin Smith, head of the Edinburgh station, says, “Geologists naturally think in 3D, but until now they have had to translate their ideas into a 2D record. This 2D record was then re-interpreted into 3D by other geologists. With this tool the need to move from 3D to 2D and back again is negated.”

The technology also reportedly fosters a sense of teamwork, Smith says. “A project team can work together to construct a 3D model, interact with the data, and interpret them as a group.”

Another reported benefit is the ease with which material from various sources can be assimilated. Smith says, “For example, aerial photographs can be draped onto a digital terrain model and radar, satellite imagery, digital boreholes, mine plans, and any previous geological data can be overlaid, giving us the most complete picture possible.”

Virtalis Technical Director Andrew Connell explains the layout of the system, “This configuration consists of a single large screen onto which stereoscopic images are rear-projected by a projector. We integrated all of the room’s functions into a control system operated by a wireless touch panel, so that inputs can be controlled by a single button press.”

The system is also designed for conferencing and viewing. Connell says, “To provide enhanced communication between remote locations, both systems have been provided with access grid video conferencing functions. The theatre will seat 18 people, but, as it also features a wireless IS-900 tracking system, two to three people will be able to interact immersively with their models.”

Stuart Clarke, a survey geologist with BGS Edinburgh says that the 3D element does not just interest geologists. “It makes our data available to visitors and external clients by bringing them to life. Being able to represent in 3D what already exists could help tear down the barriers between specialists and non-specialists.”

New Zealand seismic survey completed

New Zealand Crown Minerals has completed a seismic survey off the southeast coast of the country’s South Island in preparation for a blocks offer planned for the Great South basin later this year.

The government-sponsored seismic survey, DUN06, was completed with the acquisition of 3,160 km of 2D seismic data. Crown Minerals contracted Multiwave Geophysical to acquire the data using the company’s 65-m vesselPacific Titan. A 6-km-long solid-state streamer was used. DUN06 includes a grid off the coast between Dunedin and the Catlins, as well as lines that extend into the heart of the Great South basin.

Ricardo Bertolotti, the Crown Minerals geophysicist responsible for the survey, called the survey “a tremendous success,” and added that, “Looking at the raw data suggests that the basin extends to the northeast providing potential for hydrocarbon prospectivity.”

The survey area was chosen to test the prospectivity of the area between the Great South and Canterbury basins.

This area will shortly be opened for the Great South basin blocks offer. Crown Minerals said that the data will be made freely available to interested parties in order to help facilitate a successful blocks offer over the highly prospective Great South basin. GNS Science won the contract to process the survey. Processing should conclude by August 2006. In addition, GNS will re-process approximately 8,000 line km of existing 2D data that will also be made freely available to all interested parties.