Blended acquisition with dispersed source arrays, the next step in seismic acquisition?

Abstract

Today, seismic acquisition is carried out with broadband sources. We propose to replace in blended acquisition the traditional broadband sources by narrow‐band versions (think at single airguns and narrowband vibrators), together representing Dispersed Source Arrays (DSA's). The DSA concept allows the use of source depths and spatial sampling intervals that are optimum for the low‐, mid‐ and high‐frequency sources. In addition, because narrow‐band sources are relatively simple, we propose to robotize blended acquisition with unmanned source vessels (marine) and unmanned source vehicles (land). Robotization of blended acquisition with the aid of DSA's may be the next step in improving seismic data quality at less cost.