3D Seismic Technology: Are We Realising Its Full Potential?

Three-dimensional (3D) seismic data have had a substantial impact on the successful exploration and production of hydrocarbons. Although most commonly acquired by the oil and gas exploration industry, these data are starting to be used as a research tool in other Earth sciences disciplines. However despite some innovative new directions of academic investigation, most of the examples of how 3D seismic data have increased our understanding of the structure and stratigraphy of sedimentary basins come from the industry that acquired these data. The 3D seismic tool is also making significant inroads into other areas of Earth sciences, such as igneous and structural geology. However, there are pitfalls that parallel these advances: geoscientists need to be multidisciplined and true integrators, and at the same time have an ever-increasing knowledge of geophysical acquisition and processing. Notably the utility of the 3D seismic tool seems to have been overlooked by most of the academic community, and we would submit that academia has yet to take full advantage of this technology as a research tool. We propose that the remaining scientific potential far exceeds the advances made thus far and major opportunities, as well as challenges, lie ahead.