Application of Surface Waves in the Near-surface Investigation for Oil and Gas Exploration

Summary The near-surface structure plays a crucial role in the quality of seismic imaging for oil and gas exploration. To measure the velocity structure of near surface, the micro logging method is commonly used. While effective, this method faces limitations in regions where drilling is not feasible, such as urban areas, airports, railways, or gravel-rich terrains. Surface waves, which propagate along the Earth’s free surface, offer a potential alternative. We established a workflow for surface wave acquisition, processing, and interpretation using small trace intervals of less than 5 meters. This approach enables surface wave surveys to produce interpretation results comparable to those obtained from micro logging. Both theoretical models and actual drilling data demonstrate that small trace interval surface waves can match or exceed the near-surface detection capabilities of traditional micro logging.