WAZ survey method uses single vessel

Wide-azimuth (WAZ) towed-streamer acquisition has proven a successful method for exploration and development in the complex subsalt structures in the Gulf of Mexico. Wide-azimuth data have better illumination, higher signal-to-noise ratios and improved seismic resolution than conventional narrow-azimuth data. However, the WAZ surveys acquired so far in the Gulf have employed multiple vessels, which increases cost. A new WAZ method uses a “circular” geometry to acquire data with a single streamer vessel.