It's often best to make "informed" decisions when resolving challenges. The information necessary to assist the process, although available through numerous channels, sometimes is uselessly bypassed or avoided for unknown or indefensible reasons. Often, it is not until long after the process or challenge has subsided that a historical perspective brings to light the fact that, had all available information been utilized, a more fruitful outcome could have been accomplished. A similar review of an exploration strategy is required as the industry adjusts to continue effective exploration under a reduced budget. Potential field methods and remote sensing technology have been widely used in the E&P process for decades, and the use of such data continues successfully today. Electromagnetic, magnetic and conventional gravity data, along with hyperspectral imagery and radiometric methods, are some of the most commonly used techniques. However, a more advanced gravity mapping process has gained significance over the past decade and has provided an enhanced subsurface picture for oil and gas exploration: gravity gradiometry. This high-resolution broadband mapping technique was initially developed by Lockheed Martin for military use and has since been declassified and made commercially available for hydrocarbon and mineral exploration. The data can be rapidly acquired with aircraft or vessels. The resolution attainable places the technique into direct and useful relevance to the design, processing and interpretation of the seismic survey.
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