Multicomponent Technology: Reducing Risk and Creating Opportunity

Three-dimensional (3D) compressional-wave (P-wave) seismic methods routinely provide faithful structural images of the earth's subsurface but often lack the ability to provide complete and distinct information about roch properties. Shear-wave (S-wave) data, in conert with P-wave data (multicomponent), can provide additional information to reduce risk and create new opportunities. Significant advances in the acquisition, processing and interpretation of multicomponent data have served to make this technology more viable but acceptance remains limited. More widespread acceptance of multicomponent methods is critically dependent on continuing demonstrations of value from field projects and on the development of interpretation tools and work processes conducive to evaluating multimode data. This paper provides an overview of multicomponent technology and focuses on the techniques and advances that are improving viability and includes theory and practical examples of how multicomponent technology is improving the ability of the industry to find and produce more oil and gas.