April 29th Meeting
Beyond Physics in Geophysics
Presented by
John Castagna, Faculty
Applied Seismology, University of Houston
Physics is an essential component of geophysics but there is much that physics cannot know or address. For example, physics alone cannot ascertain that an inverted low seismic impedance is indicative of a coal layer in one stratigraphic interval and the same inverted impedance represents an organic shale reservoir in another. Such geological non-uniqueness often results in the false conclusion from physics that such distinctions from seismic data are not possible. Applying physics to determine what is not possible disregards what information outside of physics can achieve. Seismology only understands relationships controlled by the wave equation and is thus incapable of predicting geological correlations between parameters and seismic attributes that are not governed by the physics of wave propagation. Generally, the more geological information that can be properly incorporated into a geophysical prediction, the better.
About our speaker:
John Castagna is the Margaret S. and Robert E. Sheriff Endowed Faculty Chair in Applied Seismology at the University of Houston. He has degrees in geology, geochemistry, and geophysics and specializes in exploration geophysics. He has more than 40 years of experience in petroleum exploration including more than 20 years in academia and has published more than 100 papers in areas such as rock physics, direct hydrocarbon detection, multi-attribute analysis, and seismic inversion. Despite his ineptitude in that subject, he loves and values physics.
11:15 to 11:45 Social Half Hour
11:45 pm Lunch Buffet
12:00 pm Lecture
$25 for members,
$40 for non-members,
$5 for students.
Seneca Resources Auditorium
3000 Westinghouse Drive, Suite 105
Cranberry Twp., PA 16066
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New Year's Celebration
Members of the GSP + PAPG celebrated the New Year with their colleagues at Southern Tier Brewery, January 9, 2024. A good time was had by all.
Successful 4th Annual ABGS + Golf Outing
The GSP recently successfully hosted the 4th Annual Appalachian Basin Geophysical Symposium (ABGS) in Canonsburg, PA. Over 50 attendees from four states + Canada were able to network and listen to innovative talks on seismic interpretation, processing and well based applications relevant to the Appalachian Basin. All driven by the success of the largest natural gas producing basin in the country. The keynote speaker, past SEG President David Monk, presented a fascinating history of seismic exploration through the lens of AI.
The 11th Annual GSP Golf Open was held the following day as 40 golfers honed their games on a beautiful spring day in Pittsburgh.
The meeting and golf outing were generously supported by 13 industry sponsors.
The GSP Board looks forward to hosting the 5th Annual ABGS in 2024 and encourages you to add the dates June 5-6, 2024 to your calendar.
All the best,
Scott Gorham
GSP President 2022-23