Developing Sustainable Technologies for Offshore Seismic Operations

摘要

Technology plays an important role in modern economic society. Sustainable technology helps society to preserve ecological balance, but unsustainable technology does the opposite. As such, it is important to use inherently sustainable technologies in every sector of human activities. Oil and gas exploration and development are high technology-based operations. Exploring sustainable technologies in the oil and gas sector can reduce environmental and other impacts. This article examines the sustainability of offshore seismic technologies following a new methodology. In addition to presently available technologies, emerging technologies in this field are also examined. A "natural" technology, dolphin ultrasound communication, which functions similar to other seismic technologies, is selected as a standard. This article identifies that presently available technologies have less impacts than previous technology, but their "sustainability state" is not satisfactory. It also reveals that the mechanism of dolphin communication is a better option compared to presently available technologies. This study shows major differences between inherently sustainable and unsustainable technologies. Finally, the article suggests how to achieve sustainability in technology development in relation to offshore seismic operations.