Paper Summary
Geophysicists need seismic data to convey a reliable, geologically meaningful picture of the subsurface both at the prospect and geologic system levels. This requires that spatial sampling be sufficient to provide adequate resolution not only for identifying drillable targets, but also for characterizing depositional environments, intra and inter-reservoir discontinuities, and other subtle features associated with finding and developing hydrocarbon reservoirs. To address these imaging needs onshore, sampling density needs to improve significantly by deploying more recording stations than is the current convention. To date, high station count surveys that fully sample reflected seismic energy have been cost prohibitive and difficult to implement. Fortunately, a new generation of cableless, single-station seismic recording systems will soon be commercialized which should provide geophysicists with a viable platform for acquiring high station count surveys and obtaining fully sampled data.