Annual Report 2011 - PGS

Data Processing and Technology
seismic modeling to simulate the results of
a seismic survey under various source and
receiver configurations. Nucleus+ is the most
comprehensive planning package on the
market and is widely used throughout the oil
and gas industry.
At PGS, the unique holoSeis visualization
technology is an integral part of the complete
seismic workflow — from quality control of
seismic data during acquisition, to the building
of complex velocity models for pre-stack depth
migration and visualization of the end product
for customers. PGS’ holoSeis is in daily use
at Company facilities worldwide, including
onboard survey vessels. More than 500
holoSeis systems have been installed under
license at customers’ offices and field locations.
PGS holoSeis package is a preferred tool for
visualization and interpretation of exceptionally
large volumes of 3D seismic data
Processing Technology
PGS has invested considerable resources to
develop and deliver efficient data processing
solutions and technological differentiators to
its clients. In the realm of time processing, this
has included a client-rated “best in class” 3D
Surface-Related Multiple Elimination (SRME).
PGS has also developed a proprietary suite of
multi-dimensional regularization algorithms
and technologically advanced solutions for
the automated selection of dense velocity
fields. Optivel is one of these proprietary
solutions. Optivel uses a generic algorithm
to quickly provide the optimum velocity and
anisotropic parameter fields for use on very
dense processing grids. Development projects
also focus on methods that ensure that each
processing project is completed at optimum
efficiency — which reinforces PGS’ value
proposition of delivering outstanding quality
and cost effectiveness.
and down-going components and uses the data
to build industry-leading velocity models which
result in superior depth-migrated images. The
additional signal energy in the low-frequency
range also benefits full waveform inversion,
an automated method to refine seismic
velocity models. Additional cascaded benefits
are realized in later stages involving data
interpretation and reservoir characterization.
Intellectual Property
PGS’ patents, trademarks, service marks,
copyrights and licenses protect its proprietary
technology. The Company’s intellectual
property rights include the Ramform TM seismic
vessels, GeoStreamer ® , Multi-Transient Electro
Magnetic (MTEM TM ), OptoSeis® and HD3D ®
seismic solution software, PGS hyperBeam ®
and GeoSource ® . The Company’s intellectual
property rights collectively represent a
material business asset. As of December 31,
2011, PGS held 305 patents under the laws of
the U.S., U.K., and Norway — an increase of
52 new patents in these jurisdictions during
2011. Additional patent-protected innovations
help sharpen and preserve the competitive
advantages achieved by PGS through
technological differentiators.
PGS offers GeoStreamer as an integrated
acquisition and processing solution that
delivers unparalleled features that differentiate
the Company’s product capabilities from
industry alternatives. The Company has
developed proprietary technology and built
up considerable know-how concerning the
generation of up-going pressure wavefield
data (P-UP) and full processing through to
final product delivery. Workflows have been
implemented to match the new generation of
GeoStreamer and GeoStreamer GS survey
data with non-GeoStreamer legacy data in
the context of 4D processing. Full backward
compatibility has been demonstrated.
PGS data processing techniques have been
enhanced to take full advantage of the
additional low-frequency signal content of
GeoStreamer GS surveys. For example, data
processing separates the wave field into up-
36 PGS Annual Report 2011