3D EM : New Technology Creates New Business Opportunities
Speaker: Dave Ridyard
President
EMGS Americas, Houston, TX
Biography:
Dave Ridyard received his degree in Applied Physics from Durham University in England in 1980, and worked in marine seismic data acquisition with GSI for 9 years. In 1989, he founded QC Tools a small software company that pioneered the use of spatial databases to analyse 3D geophysical data. The company was acquired by Input Output (now ION) in 1994, and (other than a 2 year sabbatical in the world of high end visualization) Dave worked on the development and commercialization of leading edge technologies such as streamer steering, permanent reservoir monitoring systems, micromachined sensors and ocean bottom cables. He joined EMGS in January 2006, and championed the move from 2D EM to 3D EM. He is now the President of EMGS Americas. Dave is married with 2 children, and is quite possibly the worst golfer in Texas.
Abstract:
CSEM has been around for about 10 years. Most applications of the technology have comprised a few 2D lines to test a prospect prior to drilling. There have been many successes and a few failures/learning opportunities. Over the last 2 years, the technique has made an almost complete switch to 3D, using wide azimuth geometries to investigate entire volumes. 3D EM has opened up a whole range of new applications to solve a broader range of technical and business challenges from frontier basin evaluation to mature field development decisions. This talk will look at some of the newer applications of 3D EM, with special regard to typical Gulf of Mexico challenges such as working around salt and fizz gas.