For the seismic industry, exploration and production used to be spelled with a capital "E" and a small "p." No more, as Production seismic comes of age. Deepwater seismic is experiencing a renaissance, driven mainly by the emergence of time-lapse imaging. The opportunity to add value to the 3-D dynamic earth model by studying changes in successive seismic data has spurred development of new acquisition techniques as well as new visualization and interpretation software. Proven mainly in several prolific North Sea fields, 4-D seismic has taken its place as a key tool in maximizing economic recovery of reserves. A lively debate is ongoing regarding the relative merits of various 4-D acquisition techniques and technologies. Each offers compelling advantages, but we suspect that, as always, economics will emerge as the final arbiter. Whichever solution offers the greatest perceived value at the least cost will be chosen.
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