Shooting seismic surveys in circles

Traditionally, marine seismic data are acquired by a seismic vessel sailing in a straight line over a target, then turning back to shoot another line parallel to the first. A new technique acquires seismic data in continuously linked circles with little or no nonproductive time. The results are high-quality data containing reflection information from all azimuths. Test results indicate that the technique will be useful for improving seismic imaging in several complex geological environments. The first full survey using the technique was acquired for Eni in 2008 on the Tulip project in the Bukat production-sharing contract block, offshore Indonesia.