The huge volumes of 3D datasets recorded in the 1970s created the need for a machine to handle the tasks associated with routine picking of seismic events, their posting, and subsequent mapping. It was not possible to cope with the rapidly escalating data volumes on paper sections.

Just like other early developments of calculating devices (abacus, log tables, slide rule, hand calculator) The early workstations did not have too many frills: simply elementary operations without too much demand for computing power. However, the human operator was always in charge. This is a non-trivial aspect of the human-machine interaction. Also there were no statistical estimates or assumptions with these early operations. They were precise.

Early workstations had no capacity for processing, calibration with and generation of synthetic seismograms, phase filtering, or inversion. They could not handle anything but the input data volume. The fundamental advantage then became the routine process of pick, post, and map. Contemporary work stations are precise in their ability to pick and transport data to mapping packages. However, contemporary workstations do not always satisfy the seismic interpreter's objectives to go beyond this pick-post-map process.

Seismic interpreters are forced to produce interpretation maps of multiple data sets in relatively short time. The main complaint from the interpreter is that it is not possible to do everything to fine-tune a seismic prospect with the current crop of workstations. It is desirable to be able to investigate the quality of the seismic data processing and the final seismic product before committing to a well location. Often it is necessary to investigate the pre-stack data base (CDP gathers, offset gathers, cross-plotting, etc.) to establish any AVO signature that might be critical in addition to assessing the quality of processing. Therefore, much of the essential work that should be performed on the workstation cannot be done.

This presentation will take a historical look at the process of computation and suggest where we might be headed in the future with respect to the workstation world.

Paper presented March 9, 2004 at the CSPG Luncheon, Telus Convention Centre.

BIOGRAPHY

Easton Wren is well known in Canada and recognized internationally as an innovative geophysicist who is a leader in the application of new seismic techniques. He received his B.Sc. (Hons) in Geology in 1960 and his Ph.D. in Geophysics in 1968 from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. His professional experience includes positions with Ray Geophysical Company in Libya, the United Nations in Uganda, Amoco Canada, and PanCanadian Petroleum in Calgary. In 1978 he founded Petrel Consultants and was President and General Manager of the company until 1986. Since that time he has been an independent consultant.

Dr.Wren is current in state-of-the-art seismic methods, has lectured at U.S. and Canadian universities, has developed and presented industry-oriented training courses to a wide variety of audiences. His "Geophysics for Geologists" has been presented in Calgary annually for over twenty years.

Easton was elected President of the Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists for 1981, received the Society's Best Paper award in 1974, the Meritorious Service Award in 1977, and Honorary Membership in 1988. He has authored several papers on seismic processing and interpretation,is a past editor of the Journal of the CSEG, and Bulletin of the CSPG, and was General Chairman of the joint CSEG-CSPG Convention, Exploration Update, in 1979. In 1987, he was Distinguished Lecturer for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). He is also an active member of SEG,CSEG, and APEGGA. He was the host of the CFAC-TV Calgary "Science Spectrum" documentary programme.