This book demystifies that art and science of seismic interpretation for those with and without formal geophysical training. From geologists to managers and investors, The Art and Science of Seismic Interpretation is a guide to what seismic data is, how it is interpreted, and what it can deliver.

This book was written to be an introduction to the geologic interpretation of seismic data. Seismic interpreters can be geologists, geophysicists, and even engineers. To be effective, [it is necessary to] teach geologists (and engineers) a bit of geophysics, and geophysicists (and engineers) a bit of geology.

Intended for beginning interpreters, this book approaches seismic interpretation via synthesis of concepts and practical applications rather than through formal treatment of basic physics and geology. Based on the author's personal experience as a seismic interpreter, it is organised along the lines of notes from classes he designs and teaches.

In this course we shall assume that all participants are familiar with the essentials of seismic prospecting. Thus A the rudiments of the field work -- spreads, sources, arrays B and digital recording -- are assumed known. So also are the C rudiments of processing -- such processes as gain recovery, D filtering, deconvolution, velocity analysis, and display. E Just as important, we shall assume that all participants F have some feeling for the realities of seismic work -- in the l(B) field, under real conditions. Elementary signal theory and the basic techniques of interpretation are also assumed known. However, for certainty, the following pre-course notes include sections reviewing basic signal theory, geophysical aspects of interpretation, and geological aspects of interpretation. These reviews are not intended to be comprehensive. Their function is solely to cover, with the minimum possible discussion, the essential features which will be assumed to be known in the course. None of the course time will be spent on the material of these pre-course notes. Participants are advised that they will not derive full benefit from the course if this background is not known. Most course participants will be already familiar with this material, and will need to do little more than read it through. If, before the course, any participant requires further discussion of signal theory in the same non-rigorous style, he will find it in other writings of the present author, particularly: "Wiggles", Journal of the CSEG, December 1965, pp.l3-43.

Elements of 3D Seismology, third edition is a thorough introduction to the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of 3D seismic data. This third edition is a major update of the second edition. Sections dealing with interpretation have been greatly revised in accordance with improved understanding and availability of data and software. Practice exercises have been added, as well as a 3D seismic survey predesign exercise. Discussions include: conceptual and historical foundations of modern reflection seismology; an overview of seismic wave phenomena in acoustic, elastic, and porous media; acquisition principles for land and marine seismic surveys; methods used to create 2D and 3D seismic images from field data; concepts of dip moveout, prestack migration, and depth migration; concepts and limitations of 3D seismic interpretation for structure, stratigraphy, and rock property estimation; and the interpretation role of attributes, impedance estimation, and AVO. This book is intended as a general text on reflection seismology, including wave propagation, data acquisition, processing, and interpretation and will be of interest to entry-level geophysicists, experts in related fields (geology, petroleum engineering), and experienced geophysicists in one subfield wishing to learn about another (e.g., interpreters wanting to learn about seismic waves or data acquisition).

This book introduces practical seismic analysis techniques and evaluation of interpretation confidence, for graduate students and industry professionals - independent of commercial software products.